State Rep. Kathy Rapp | Pennsylvania 65th Legislative District
State Rep. Kathy Rapp | Pennsylvania 65th Legislative District
Rep. Kathy L. Rapp has announced progress on her legislative effort to aid rural health care recruitment. Her bill, designed to provide financial incentives to recruit rural health care providers, has successfully passed through the House Health Committee. The proposed legislation seeks to establish the Rural Health Care Grant Program, which aims to assist rural hospitals by helping certain health care providers pay off their student loans.
Rep. Rapp highlighted the urgent need for this initiative, stating, "Our rural communities are facing a health care crisis. Rural health centers and hospitals are struggling to keep their doors open because of difficulties in recruiting providers." She emphasized the mutual benefits of the program, noting, "The Rural Health Care Grant Program is a win-win. It helps hospitals 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."
House Bill 2382 stipulates eligibility criteria for grant recipients, requiring licensed nurses, physicians, or midwives to begin practicing at rural facilities within six months of accepting a position. Eligible providers must also be classified as full-time, working 30 hours or more per week, or 130 hours per month, and commit to a minimum of three years at the facility. The bill will now advance to the full House for consideration.
The announcement was made by Rep. Kathy Rapp, Republican chair of the House Health Committee, representing the 65th District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
For media inquiries, contact Jake Gillespie at 717.772.9834.
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