TL/DR –
The Pa. Senate’s Majority Policy Committee has held a hearing to discuss the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural Pennsylvanians. Senator Scott Hutchinson highlighted the specific challenges, such as the higher average ages and greater number of financially disadvantaged people. It was pointed out that the cost of treating COVID-19 patients is now higher than it was earlier in the pandemic due to staff and physician shortages, as well as higher pharmaceutical costs.
Pa. Senate Committee Discusses Rural Health Care Issues
Sen. Scott Hutchinson and other members of the Pa. Senate’s Majority Policy Committee held a discussion about rural healthcare in Pennsylvania last week. The hearing at the Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital focused on finding sustainable solutions to health care challenges in rural areas.
Healthcare providers, transportation providers, and policymakers attended the hearing, providing suggestions on improving healthcare access in rural Pennsylvania. Sen. Dan Laughlin, the committee chair, emphasized the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities, citing the aging demographics and the high percentage of financially disadvantaged individuals.
During the hearing, Hutchinson raised concerns about financially vulnerable hospitals identified by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and the escalating costs of treating COVID-19 patients. According to data provided by Steven Fontaine, CEO for the Penn Highlands system, the costs of treating COVID-19 cases have increased due to staff and physician shortages and rising pharmaceutical costs.
Despite the challenges, Fontaine remained optimistic, highlighting the resilience of the rural healthcare system. “The costs are still there,” he said, “even though the pandemic in most folks’ eyes has gone away.”
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