Northwest PA News

Rep. Kathy L. Rapp, the Republican chair of the House Health Committee, has announced that her bill aimed at providing financial incentives for recruiting rural healthcare providers has passed unanimously in the House Health Committee. The legislation, known as House Bill 2382 from the previous session, seeks to establish the Rural Health Care Grant Program. This program would enable specified facilities, such as rural hospitals, to assist certain providers in repaying their student loans.

"Our rural communities continue to face a health care crisis," stated Rapp. "Rural health centers and hospitals are struggling to keep their doors open because of difficulties in recruiting providers. The Rural Health Care Grant Program is a win-win. It helps hospitals and health centers bring in skilled workers and helps the providers by covering some of their high student loan costs. Ultimately, the real winners will be our rural communities, which will hopefully have fully staffed teams ready to care for residents."

To qualify for grant funding under House Bill 157, licensed nurses, physicians, midwives, dentists, and dental hygienists must begin practicing at a rural hospital or other specified facility within six months of accepting a position. They must also work full-time by either working 30 hours or more per week or 130 hours per month and commit to working at the facility for at least three years.

The committee also passed five additional pieces of legislation unanimously. One bill amended by Rep. Jamie Walsh would align Pennsylvania law with federal regulations to allow electronic transfer of certain prescribed controlled substances between pharmacies.

Another amendment by Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa would update Pennsylvania law according to new federal requirements mandating that providers inform patients about receiving test results through electronic health records or offer mailing options.

Other resolutions include recognizing March 9-15 as "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week," April as "Limb Loss Awareness Month," and October as "Dyslexia Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

These measures now move forward to the full House for consideration.