[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6316116,"mediaKeyId","2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3","parentId",2377737,"title","Secretaries cite regulatory flexibilities, financial reviews and pilot programs as tools to blunt rural hospital and EMS strain","audioSeconds",1110,"startMs",2376000,"endMs",3486000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3&start=2376&end=3486","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3/thumbnail_2376000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6316116/Pennsylvania/Secretaries-cite-regulatory-flexibilities-financial-reviews-and-pilot-programs-as-tools-to-blunt-rural-hospital-and-EMS-strain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316116-0dd8b0d9ec4e91add1003d92f5efa43f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775434505&Signature=U4xuDlPXAmbwbO29gSrnwk8yVNf~PqONkZqubAxLnibFufaoJq7Hf~IyXXD1HLCpwpJ-O-jsaTaPi6CaQTEO-e18gLCMVpFQVoZpFkjSnhVr3ukzjtYgsTv6xko2pW3wZlXy8Y7LIDYPlap-WVIfWtJ2g1JevM0xEM2P8vKQRf6FbG2fgsenibR4BInpo7CqVQCfXOtWBh~sLHMaud2zsXhOiXLwpt~GGj55RaaXI~aa79oqW5zbgvpTP2kUbT9E-W9H4UxLhCX67XG1XaH~AeZhlVxT5vpzt8-7Z0t8Rurpn9zxVFu0n1XnOfs06ct8fsXrEtyn8p19LFQrR~jtrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsylvania House of Representatives","date","2025-02-21T00:00:00Z","article","Lawmakers pressing the Department of Health about hospital closures, maternity‑care deserts and emergency medical services heard that the administration is using several tools — regulatory exceptions, change‑of‑ownership financial review and workforce programs — to try to preserve rural access to care.

Secretary Deborah Bogan said the department reviews exception requests from rural hospitals and has used an exception process in several cases to provide regulatory flexibility. She said the department is also reviewing hospital regulations with an eye toward changes that could ease rural hospital operations and is promoting loan‑repayment programs and J‑1 visa assistance as workforce strategies to retain clinicians in small hospitals.

Federal demonstration wind‑down and state response: Bogan noted the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARM), a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation demonstration, concluded its main performance period on Dec. 31, 2024, with a two‑year Medicare wind‑down. She said 16 of the 18 PARM hospitals remain open and that state teams are working with rural health stakeholders to design simpler programs that could be scaled to more facilities.

Change‑of‑ownership financial reviews: The department described a review process developed for long‑term‑care transactions that requires audited financial statements and supported denying some change‑of‑ownership applications when financial concerns existed. Bogan said the department could consider applying similar scrutiny for hospitals during ownership changes.

EMS pressures and funding: Committee members asked about EMS closures and overcrowding. Bogan described a small Bureau of EMS staff, new hires for EMS financial management and a multi‑stakeholder work group that will issue recommendations this year on emergency‑department overcrowding, workforce and regional coordination. She said state MSOF (Medical Services Operating Fund) balances and fee collections are being reallocated to support EMS agencies and that the department is pursuing training and readiness investments.

Why it matters: Legislators from rural districts stressed that closures and service loss have immediate effects on access to urgent care, maternal services and routine primary care. The secretaries agreed to provide additional details on exception requests, hospital regulatory reviews and EMS funding plans.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations Committee -- February 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Department of Health testimony to the House Appropriations Committee emphasized exception processes, financial review of ownership changes and loan‑repayment incentives as tools to maintain rural hospital services and shore up EMS readiness.","taxTitle","Appropriations, House of Representatives, Legislative, Pennsylvania","taxId",29233,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316125,"Pennsylvania health secretaries outline budget priorities, cite workforce and rural access as top concerns",364,1177000,1541000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3&start=1177&end=1541","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3/thumbnail_1177000.jpg","/articles/6316125/Pennsylvania/Pennsylvania-health-secretaries-outline-budget-priorities-cite-workforce-and-rural-access-as-top-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316125-186aaea88070311941eafb2e55588f78/orig.mp4?Expires=1775434505&Signature=govfCpzmGhmfI9CFkx9Fv1hrMJtr-ROcSut7EHryNpp3Az0VIrretf49tYsTgBC7f1WKLsEiSsFPG412o3LYZhYPAKClMY-imUxS7jarUDQpoz4g7bvP7wAjG47GF0VRTGVn9auE7WUTf0yxlJkLSsX1myydvJREZTkv4FF6HgWzNpEMo-C5P~U8rC8efx7XWV82j~UGUcjFqlgJuQT9P-KNU7Zs1zrEezi5Vq~-aHng~PozdU4bgssU7KiF3OlfytGjZSQUg0UA2QJy~8VRcnpo5F8tTw6Gm7L0aSY7WL8hd-S~6dm5Tuh2Jlp~rcXZX1KcS0DngnkeJW70AywmqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Health Secretary Deborah Bogan and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Letika Davis Jones presented the departments' proposed 2025–26 budgets at a House Appropriations Committee hearing, emphasizing workforce investments, maternal health initiatives and continued support for substance use disorder services.

The secretaries told committee members the administrations' budgets aim to strengthen maternal and neonatal outcomes, expand behavioral-health workforce supports — including student loan repayment and J‑1 visa programs — and preserve access to emergency and preventive services across the commonwealth. Secretary Davis Jones said the proposed budget includes $45 million in state funds to support the department’s RISE priorities: reducing stigma, intensifying prevention, strengthening treatment systems and empowering recovery.

Why it matters: Much of the departments' current programming depends on federal grant streams, officials said. Committee members repeatedly asked how federal funding uncertainty would affect services such as WIC, immunizations and overdose-prevention programs.

Budget and federal dependence: Secretary Bogan said roughly 60% of the Department of Health budget is federal money and that several core programs — for example WIC and emergency preparedness — are fully or mostly federally funded. Davis Jones estimated about 75% of her department's funding comes from federal sources and warned that cuts at the federal level would force program reconsideration.

Workforce initiatives and loan repayment: Davis Jones described a student-loan repayment program for substance use disorder workers now entering a second phase and said the department expects to support about 348 recipients across rounds; participants must remain in the SUD workforce for at least two years. Bogan highlighted proposed expansions of loan-repayment programs for primary care and behavioral-health professionals and a request for additional positions meant to accelerate regulatory and inspection work.

Operational efficiency and program review: Members asked about the governor's REMAP initiative to identify duplicative programs. Bogan said her department has an internal Office of Operational Excellence reviewing programs, leases and alignment across services, and that the department expects to participate in any formal REMAP review.

Outlook: Leaders asked the secretaries to provide follow-up data on several items, including workforce survey results, long-term-care pilot outcomes and specifics on how federal grant risk would affect on-the-ground services. The departments said they would supply additional details to the committee.","Department of Health Secretary Deborah Bogan and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Letika Davis Jones presented the departments' proposed 2025–26 budgets at a House Appropriations Committee hearing, emphasizing workforce investments, maternal health initiatives and continued support for substance use disorder services.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316120,"Secretaries point to maternal‑health coalitions, pilots and RFPs as tools to address maternity‑care deserts",1335,3139000,4474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3&start=3139&end=4474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3/thumbnail_3139000.jpg","/articles/6316120/Pennsylvania/Secretaries-point-to-maternalhealth-coalitions-pilots-and-RFPs-as-tools-to-address-maternitycare-deserts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316120-753731b01d99b5ea03e029b4e4daea48/orig.mp4?Expires=1775434505&Signature=muNX3t8MqdIZUORwibb8l1t4WzXUxRl6nMvA9-HXJ350wbQdDVpJRYW311RZkmJ8XvT7uqM3V~bH7HjtldBaV4D0owRJSOj~Z~ZdMDVn-Ka6qePfi~CiuHYwk672pkCneX7NQX23VUVKgTblD~G1--xeflplB2U9WaE2NaEIZgXjzv4b3PQ5xbXXLOrgp252fwpDa-zAPKRKjXXZSNKvz6m1uwO5PFfSi6LIZ5BAKRUGLoa~5W8p0dtRX6F7HIErhcqx1JasVj~ClWdS9jsFac-ujZW0KeQY69nFuPhpplh8GwUKyAIA4owUiYP3jHMBjSbsJsdX7A-BAwn5aYBFIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Health and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs leaders described several state efforts aimed at improving maternal outcomes and addressing so-called maternity‑care deserts during a House Appropriations Committee hearing.

Secretary Deborah Bogan said the department used recent appropriations to create a Division of Maternal Health Services, hire staff and fund four regional maternal health coalitions. She said the General Assembly provided about $5 million in prior funding to get the work started and that additional RFPs will be released to distribute remaining maternal-health dollars. Bogan also described pilot work in Clinton County that uses a state health center to reduce patient travel for prenatal visits.

Why it matters: Committee members repeatedly described maternity‑care deserts as an urgent public-health problem for pregnant people in rural and underserved counties, where travel distances for delivery and prenatal care have increased as hospital services consolidate and some obstetric floors have closed.

Programs and pilot outcomes: Secretary Letika Davis Jones described treatment and recovery programs for pregnant and parenting people, calling attention to a local program, Baby Love at Hamilton Health Center in Dauphin County. Davis Jones said Baby Love data for 2023–24 showed 84% of mothers remained engaged in treatment, 96% did not require a higher level of care at 90 days post‑discharge, 98% of babies did not require extended stays for neonatal abstinence syndrome, and about 89% of mothers in the program received prenatal care in the first trimester.

Planned spending and next steps: Bogan said a new maternal‑health RFP will be posted soon to allocate remaining maternal appropriations; she told legislators much of the work is intended to be locally directed because local solutions vary. Committee members asked for a breakdown of how much of prior funding went to counties described as maternity‑care deserts; Bogan said she would provide those details to the committee and noted a $2.3 million RFP under development specifically lists maternity‑desert criteria among its priorities.

Follow-up requested: Members asked for details on staffing, RFP timetables and metrics to measure whether funds are improving access to prenatal care and delivery services. The secretaries agreed to provide the requested funding and program data.","Department of Health and Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs leaders described state efforts to improve maternal outcomes, including regional coalitions, pilot projects and upcoming RFPs aimed at maternity‑care deserts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316105,"Health secretary defends 2022 long‑term‑care staffing regulations, cites pilots and ROI data",376,3609000,3985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3&start=3609&end=3985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3/thumbnail_3609000.jpg","/articles/6316105/Pennsylvania/Health-secretary-defends-2022-longtermcare-staffing-regulations-cites-pilots-and-ROI-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316105-a9859e0fae6e61b84624fcf0ac26b54e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775434505&Signature=doBr56iaD0Mp6R3jHczJ4jPlPOHCUXOb~3xsQ7lkM8jx~Eragh5orTRlJZlVUk5p3CRVys2Z9o-SUt0vyMlIwaXdpHR-n2ZZfpfKR2FNCVW8hVwQbjrvt5EInPX3p-5f4ezIlGtueG605OyU54a0KO4rk6EtG5JdiTTjsBrSDKsmPq3DzdQjKiVt0cN~luTGHLTHrg-vghrGwVxS~EWxaWLGkvcCAJraN01l2a7YZyPMeB8mUgs~bOBaJEKCt1TOrKpp1khQoE6l3KTnQtIz0n6cOjSR8jQdEr59WgajDQ9phXZRVC1NwZRkkCk7qNISGWnRbBMbYcuhFAUPA4OjoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Health Secretary Deborah Bogan told committee members the long‑term‑care staffing regulations adopted in 2022 were the result of the standard regulatory process and that the department is supporting nursing facilities through pilot investments intended to improve workforce retention and care quality.

Bogan said the 2022 regulations included phased‑in staffing expectations and direct‑care hour targets. Surveyors have enforced the new guidance during compliance surveys, and about 80% of facilities meet the staffing guidance, she said; the department has cited facilities for noncompliance but has not applied fines tied specifically to the staffing guidance. Bogan acknowledged staffing shortages are real and widespread and described the Long‑Term Care Transformation Office’s quality‑investment pilots, which provided awards ranging from about $20,000 to $100,000 to roughly 100 facilities. She said the department’s return‑on‑investment analysis showed the pilots reduced the need for agency staff and improved retention in participating facilities.

Why it matters: Providers testified that strict application of staffing rules can be burdensome when faced with call‑offs, storms and general workforce shortages. Legislators requested the department provide the ROI and pilot results to the committee and said they want to ensure that enforcement balances patient safety with operational realities.

Follow‑up and funding: Bogan said the governor’s proposed budget includes requests to continue quality‑investment pilot work; she agreed to provide the committee the department’s return‑on‑investment analysis and the data underlying survey results.

Committee requests: Members asked for the pilot‑project data to be shared with the committee and for the department to continue to coordinate on workforce initiatives aimed at boosting supply and reducing turnover.","Secretary Deborah Bogan said the 2022 long‑term‑care staffing regulations were adopted through the state regulatory process and described pilot investments to help facilities meet staffing goals.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316111,"State details xylazine outreach, naloxone distribution and peer‑recovery investments in SUD testimony",327,2602000,2929000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3&start=2602&end=2929","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377737-49431a4acdcf22e8d613b053a87f44b3/thumbnail_2602000.jpg","/articles/6316111/Pennsylvania/State-details-xylazine-outreach-naloxone-distribution-and-peerrecovery-investments-in-SUD-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316111-f276b42f40f34a2d0a4ddf3624243f3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775434505&Signature=o4xZnv9rqvLuX8GcO9kUNwhUZ9mCIe~qdEycs43hb0~Ep~EuMf59YK-Pn7uEnziD1ZnVU8HbZvmkecU1dJIDqwliTJvc-axf22U8a7JuizFAwTO5niRw~V-uwViJBIptibRup0iuHOMFxKqv1SQ2cGbNavY9y7MJMYaWYUM6ZocOdkCeTqSYPsIkRryrLhJWa3NpZne2oXaSFsSK8Bw-NINONS9Zz0hxq36t-987msch6y7eqN-8BI7glvBAPmtX5YJoOdHMyjT-6LRqP3nNg-htXdrIb5SJ1Hftg2X9DBc2XHdrKTM738acywXyIcs~e0Aad45rZSgVX9wwOCLZAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Secretary Letika Davis Jones told the House Appropriations Committee the department is expanding prevention, treatment and recovery supports and working with the Department of Health on xylazine education and wound‑care resources.

Xylazine response and training: Davis Jones and a DDAP colleague said the department is creating public‑awareness materials, expanding wound‑care training and distributing wound‑care kits. Secretary Bogan later said the Department of Health distributed 50,000 wound kits and trained more than 500 healthcare providers to recognize and treat xylazine wounds. Committee members asked for links and public copies of materials; legislators said they had difficulty finding resources on agency websites and asked the departments for written updates.

Naloxone distribution and overdose prevention: Davis Jones said DDAP administers the statewide overdose‑prevention program and distributed more than 822,000 naloxone doses in 2024. She said regional entities coordinate distribution and the department tracks allocations to ensure statewide coverage and to identify gaps for additional outreach to community partners, hospitals and colleges.

988 coordination and warm handoffs: Committee members asked how 988 integrates with SUD services. Davis Jones said DDAP is part of an interagency “health hub” and that her bureau has protocols with 988 to provide warm handoffs and to transfer SUD calls to the Pennsylvania Get Help Now line when appropriate.

Peer recovery and recovery housing funding: Davis Jones described roughly $24 million allocated for recovery support services, including about $14 million for recovery housing, and said the department is expanding non‑regional recovery hubs and other recovery supports. She said DDAP created a recovery unit and continues to expand funding opportunities, including recovery housing and drop‑in centers.

Workforce supports: The department is advancing student‑loan repayment (the second phase of a program), piloting recruitment programs with Carlow University and Waynesburg University, and said early survey results show participants reporting reduced financial stress and improved retention in SUD jobs (an 83% response rate in round 1 surveys of recipients was cited).

Why it matters: Legislators pressed the agencies for public awareness materials, testing and training data, and clarity on whether training events should be free for community members; the departments said they would provide additional documentation.","In Appropriations testimony, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Letika Davis Jones described state efforts on xylazine awareness and wound care, naloxone distribution, 988/PA Get Help Now coordination and investments in peer recovery and recovery housing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Secretaries cite regulatory flexibilities, financial reviews and pilot programs as tools to blunt rural hospital and EMS strain

Pennsylvania health secretaries outline budget priorities, cite workforce and rural access as top concerns

Secretaries point to maternal‑health coalitions, pilots and RFPs as tools to address maternity‑care deserts

Health secretary defends 2022 long‑term‑care staffing regulations, cites pilots and ROI data

State details xylazine outreach, naloxone distribution and peer‑recovery investments in SUD testimony