Senate Passes New Funding for Hospitals, Health Care Workers

HARRISBURG – The state Senate today approved critical funding for hospitals and frontline health care workers who continue to keep Pennsylvanians safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-49, said.

House Bill 253 would allocate a total of $225 million to hospitals and their employees. The additional dollars will be allocated as follows:

  • $100 million for acute care general hospitals.
  • $110 million for critical access hospitals, facilities with a high volume of Medicaid patients, and behavioral/psychiatric providers.
  • $15 million for the PA Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program.

The legislation requires the funding to be directed to retention and recruitment programs for staff. Hospital executives and administration, contracted staff and physicians would not be eligible for payments.

The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Contact: Matt Azeles 717.787.2928

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