Rigby Applauds Approval of Health Care Funding
HARRISBURG – Critical funding to help local hospitals and health care facilities address staffing shortages is now going to work, thanks to legislation supported in January by state Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Johnstown) and his House and Senate colleagues through a unanimous vote by the General Assembly.
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Act 2 of 2022, formerly House Bill 253, helps with retention and recruitment of nurses and frontline employees by recognizing the men and women who don’t have the option of working remotely,” Rigby said. “It also faces the fact that the fight is not over, and our medical facilities need help filling existing nursing vacancies while also recognizing staff that has hung in there through it all.”
Under the legislation, $100 million is being allocated to acute care general hospitals and $110 million would assist critical access hospitals, facilities with a high volume of Medicaid patients and behavioral/psychiatric providers of inpatient services. The funding may not be used on hospital executives, members of administration or physicians.
In Cambria County, the following medical facilities are receiving funding:
• Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center - $1,465,449
• Conemaugh Miners Medical Center - $180,692
• Mental Health Resources of Central PA - $70,092
Act 2 also establishes a task force that will address another health care crisis in Pennsylvania – the opioid abuse epidemic and its impact on children.
“Choices made by parents are sadly filtering down to innocent infants and children who face consequences that range from child abuse and neglect to death or near-death experiences,” added Rigby. “This epidemic impacts many aspects of our society and needs to be taken seriously.”
Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Rigby’s district office at 1-814-536-9818.
Representative Jim Rigby
71st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
Slittle@pahousegop.com
RepRepJimRigby.com / Facebook.com/RepJimRigby