Trending...
- VIP Vacations Recognized as a 2024 Top Selling Travel Agency by the Jamaica Tourism Board
- Finding the Best AC Repair Service in Philadelphia
- Pyro Marketing Opens New Digital Marketing Company to Power Growth for Fitness and Ecommerce Brands
Governor Tom Wolf today was joined by Democratic and Republican legislative members to celebrate House Bill 253, which appropriates $225 million to support Pennsylvania's heroic health care workforce.
"Three weeks ago, my administration convened a working group including all four caucuses to identify immediate investments to support the health care workforce overburdened by staffing shortages after years of battling the pandemic on the front lines," said Gov. Wolf. "Together, Democrats and Republicans came together in a bipartisan effort to address this issue through House Bill 253. I am proud to sign this critical legislation into law to support our health care workforce and ensure Pennsylvanians can continue to receive quality care for emergency health issues and life-saving procedures.
In recent months, Pennsylvania's health care workforce has been under extreme stress as hospitals and health care facilities reach and exceed capacity while seeing patients with higher levels of acuity. Staffing shortages and high numbers of patients have contributed to hospitals reaching capacity and needing to divert patients to other equally burdened facilities. In response, hospitals and health care systems asked the commonwealth for funding specifically for recruitment and retention of key personnel.
House Bill 253 as amended appropriates $225 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to support the health care workforce in Pennsylvania. The funding is set to support the following health care areas:
Governor Wolf was joined by Democratic and Republican members of the General Assembly in the Governor's Reception Room to celebrate the legislation.
More on The PennZone
"Our health care workers have been pushed to capacity physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally these last two years as we battle the Covid-19 pandemic," Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa said. "Not only do they deserve our support and continued advocacy for every eligible person to get vaccinated, but they also need the resources to continue this battle against Covid-19."
"Delivering on a promise to the people of Pennsylvania, the Senate, House, and Governor took a significant step towards managing out of the COVID-19 pandemic today by making a strategic investment in supporting our hospitals and frontline healthcare works," said Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward. "These dedicated nurses, who are exhausted and strained, have seen us through our darkest days. This funding will help lessen the impact of the pandemic's effect on our frontline workers by helping our hospitals to retain acute nursing staff and take care of their patients as these facilities are stressed to the max."
"The past two years have been unlike any before them. The demand on our health care system has been enormous and our frontline health care providers who have worked ceaselessly have shouldered one of the greatest burdens," House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton said. "This $225 million relief package is an investment in the system and the professionals who have given so much to support and care for our communities before the pandemic and since."
The convened working group and legislation are part of the multi-layered approach the Wolf Administration is taking to address and mitigate the current crisis in Pennsylvania, including deploying state-led strike teams to hospitals, launching regional decompression sites for hospitals and long-term care facilities, working with the federal government to stand up two regional large-scale COVID-19 testing sites, and expanding Pennsylvania's testing contract to support nine high-volume testing sites across the commonwealth.
More on The PennZone
"Throughout the pandemic I have called on Pennsylvanians to make choices that positively impact their loved ones and neighbors," said Gov. Wolf. "I am proud to stand alongside both Democratic and Republican members who have heard that call and to sign this legislation into law providing necessary funding to the commonwealth's most critical asset, our health care employees."
In addition to the funding to support the health care workforce, House Bill 253 also creates the Opioid Abuse Child Impact Task Force to focus on improving the safety, well-being and permanency of substance-exposed infants and other young children affected by their parents' substance abuse disorders.
SHARE Email Facebook Twitter
"Three weeks ago, my administration convened a working group including all four caucuses to identify immediate investments to support the health care workforce overburdened by staffing shortages after years of battling the pandemic on the front lines," said Gov. Wolf. "Together, Democrats and Republicans came together in a bipartisan effort to address this issue through House Bill 253. I am proud to sign this critical legislation into law to support our health care workforce and ensure Pennsylvanians can continue to receive quality care for emergency health issues and life-saving procedures.
In recent months, Pennsylvania's health care workforce has been under extreme stress as hospitals and health care facilities reach and exceed capacity while seeing patients with higher levels of acuity. Staffing shortages and high numbers of patients have contributed to hospitals reaching capacity and needing to divert patients to other equally burdened facilities. In response, hospitals and health care systems asked the commonwealth for funding specifically for recruitment and retention of key personnel.
House Bill 253 as amended appropriates $225 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to support the health care workforce in Pennsylvania. The funding is set to support the following health care areas:
- $100 million to be distributed to all acute care, critical access, and children's hospitals licensed by the Department of Health on a per-bed basis. The funding will be used strictly for recruitment and retention payments to direct care staff.
- $110 million to be distributed on a per-bed basis to high-Medical Assistance hospitals, designated Critical Access Hospitals, and inpatient and residential behavioral health facilities for recruitment and retention payments to key staff.
- $15 million to quadruple the funds available for the nurse loan forgiveness program at Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), a high-demand program which has already received more than 8,000 applications in advance of the March 1st deadline.
Governor Wolf was joined by Democratic and Republican members of the General Assembly in the Governor's Reception Room to celebrate the legislation.
More on The PennZone
- First Generation and TechniCom Leadership Appointments Usher in a Bright Future
- Psychedelics for Vets? CCHR Cites History of Exploitation and Failed Science
- GreenPal Empowers Lawn Care Pros Leveraging AI, Surpasses 5 Million Transactions
- Santa Monica Businesses Push Back on Bus Stop Relocation That Threatens Access and Safety
- What are the signs of an AC refrigerant leak?
"Our health care workers have been pushed to capacity physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally these last two years as we battle the Covid-19 pandemic," Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa said. "Not only do they deserve our support and continued advocacy for every eligible person to get vaccinated, but they also need the resources to continue this battle against Covid-19."
"Delivering on a promise to the people of Pennsylvania, the Senate, House, and Governor took a significant step towards managing out of the COVID-19 pandemic today by making a strategic investment in supporting our hospitals and frontline healthcare works," said Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward. "These dedicated nurses, who are exhausted and strained, have seen us through our darkest days. This funding will help lessen the impact of the pandemic's effect on our frontline workers by helping our hospitals to retain acute nursing staff and take care of their patients as these facilities are stressed to the max."
"The past two years have been unlike any before them. The demand on our health care system has been enormous and our frontline health care providers who have worked ceaselessly have shouldered one of the greatest burdens," House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton said. "This $225 million relief package is an investment in the system and the professionals who have given so much to support and care for our communities before the pandemic and since."
The convened working group and legislation are part of the multi-layered approach the Wolf Administration is taking to address and mitigate the current crisis in Pennsylvania, including deploying state-led strike teams to hospitals, launching regional decompression sites for hospitals and long-term care facilities, working with the federal government to stand up two regional large-scale COVID-19 testing sites, and expanding Pennsylvania's testing contract to support nine high-volume testing sites across the commonwealth.
More on The PennZone
- The Blue Luna Encourages Local Schools to Take Steps to Enhance Safety for Students and Staff
- Philadelphia Homeowners Now Have a Faster Way to Sell Their House Without Agents or Repairs
- The Sessions Studios Secures $300 Million Commitment to Launch World-Class Studio and 15-Film Global Slate
- Smart Resnse Unveils Smart Resnse(SRMS) Token-Powered AI Orchestration Platform to Revolutionize Multi-Billion Dollar Market
- Josh and Heidi Follow Up the Much Anticipated and Successful Launch of the "Spreading the Good BUZZ" Podcast with a Personal Request
"Throughout the pandemic I have called on Pennsylvanians to make choices that positively impact their loved ones and neighbors," said Gov. Wolf. "I am proud to stand alongside both Democratic and Republican members who have heard that call and to sign this legislation into law providing necessary funding to the commonwealth's most critical asset, our health care employees."
In addition to the funding to support the health care workforce, House Bill 253 also creates the Opioid Abuse Child Impact Task Force to focus on improving the safety, well-being and permanency of substance-exposed infants and other young children affected by their parents' substance abuse disorders.
SHARE Email Facebook Twitter
0 Comments
Latest on The PennZone
- Centennial Flyers to Become Colorado's First Launch Customer for All-Electric B23 Energic Aircraft
- Pyro Marketing Opens New Digital Marketing Company to Power Growth for Fitness and Ecommerce Brands
- Dr. John Salerno of Salerno Wellness Introduces Their New Full Body Capsule for Advanced LED Light Therapy Patient Treatments
- LDR Partners LP Announces Acquisition of Active Radiator, and Combination with Cincinnati Radiator and Ohio Heat Transfer, Forming the Largest U.S. Heavy Manufacturing Platform for Aluminum Industrial Heat Exchangers
- $14M Expansion Deal with Famed David Lloyd Highlights Rebrand of Sports, Entertainment and Gaming Innovation by AI Driven, Online Fan Engagement Co
- Heartfelt Dreams Foundation Launches Campaign to Build CHD Hospital
- Radarsign Tackles Intersection Safety with Launch of Grid-Free Solar LED Stop Sign
- Sidney and Caroline Kimmel Invest in the Future of Care and Discovery at Jefferson
- Abide Capital Acquires Columbus, OH Apartment Community for $16.5 Million
- Miami Real Estate Agent Drastically Increases Interest In Homes
- Adostics & Genmega Announce the Introduction of A-POD
- QVC Kicks Off 'Christmas in July' with Star-Studded Merrymakers Lineup: Elton John, Martha Stewart, Kathy Hilton, Kim Gravel and Babs Costello as Chief Cheer Officer
- LIB and Nidec Rejoin Forces for Giant TH-0098 Temperature Humidity Test Chamber
- Heritage at South Brunswick Offers Immediate Townhome Appointments and Special Mortgage Incentive Fast-Moving Sales
- INVESTIGATION ALERT: Berger Montague PC Investigates Aflac, Inc.'s Board Of Directors For Breach of Fiduciary Duties (NYSE: AFL)
- The Waite Launches: A Curated Motherhood Marketplace For Every Stage
- Affordable, High-Quality Care: Cheap Braces for Adults Available from Exeter Smiles in Reading
- NASA Collaborative Agreement for Supply of Thin-Film Solar Tech for Orbital Application to Advance Development of Thin-Film PV Power Beaming: $ASTI
- Sci-Fi Novel from Pittsburgh Author Explores Love, Power, & Humanity in an Age of Artificial People
- Exciting New Era of Sports, Entertainment & Gaming Innovation Spotlighted by Rebrand of Expanding AI Driven, Online Fan Engagement Company: SEGG Media