Jan. 26, 2022
HARRISBURG – Showing support for the state’s health care workers, Reps. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) and Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) joined in the unanimous approval of legislation to invest $225 million in funding to provide recruitment and retention payments and nurse student loan forgiveness.
House Bill 253 has been approved by both the House and Senate and is expected to be signed into law by the governor promptly.
“Our health care workers have been and continue to be heroes to our patients and their loved ones during this COVID-19 pandemic,” Warner said. “While we can never put a dollar value on the care and comfort they provide, this funding represents a show of appreciation and an investment in supporting them as they continue their important and difficult work.”
“I’ve experienced firsthand how invaluable health care workers are in providing both physical and emotional support to patients suffering with COVID-19, other illnesses, or in my case, severe injuries,” Dowling said. “Investing in these men and women is the best thing we can do to protect public health and ensure patients have access to the care they need.”
House Bill 253 directs $100 million in funding to be shared among acute care hospitals and $110 million to be shared among critical access hospitals, high Medicaid-use hospitals and behavioral health providers. The breakdown of funding for facilities serving the 51st and 52nd legislative districts is as follows:
• Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services (Fayette County): $70,092.
• Highlands Hospital (Fayette County): $362,037.
• Uniontown Hospital (Fayette County): $412,811.
• Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center (Somerset County): $144,554.
House Bill 253 is headed to the governor’s desk where he is expected to sign it into law.
Representative Ryan Warner
52nd Legislative District
Representative Matthew Dowling
51st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia Hippler
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