The Wolf Administration, supported by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, urged the federal government to reauthorize Title 32 to allow Pennsylvania National Guard members to carry out missions that assist long-term care facilities affected by COVID-19 in Pennsylvania.
“The Pennsylvania National Guard has been instrumental in our nation’s response to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including supporting community-based testing sites, distributing millions of meals to Pennsylvanians in need and aiding our frontline health workers who provide care to COVID-19 patients in long-term care facilities,” said Casey, D-PA. “I urge the Trump Administration to renew the federal Title 32 authorization for the Pennsylvania National Guard to streamline pay and benefits for National Guard members and their families. As the nation expects spikes in COVID-19 cases in the coming months, this renewal is much needed to ensure the National Guard is able to support efforts to keep our citizens safe and to maintain National Guard operations without additional burden to states and territories.”
Without federal authorization, Pennsylvania would have to consider placing the Pennsylvania National Guard on State Active Duty, which the state would be financially responsible for. Also, federal authorization provides more protection for members of the Pennsylvania National Guard for healthcare and benefits.
“Our PA National Guard has been on the frontlines of this pandemic,” said Houlahan. “What is abundantly clear is that this pandemic is not yet over. Cases are spiking across the country, and we will need the Guard as we navigate the next phase of this pandemic. That’s why I have joined a bipartisan coalition urging the Trump Administration to renew Title 32 authorization and to do so in a way that does not financially burden the individual states. This renewal cannot wait. It will help shore up our statewide protections against the virus through the vital operations run by the Guard as well as streamline the payment process for these brave Pennsylvanians.”
“The assistance of the Pennsylvania National Guard has been essential in ensuring we are caring for residents in long-term care facilities during this pandemic,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “As we see cases increasing across the state, we know that cases in long-term care facilities are a direct reflection of the community. The Pennsylvania National Guard is a vital resource in assisting these facilities when there are staffing needs.”
In long-term care facilities, the Pennsylvania National Guard can provide staffing support to assist in patient care, as well as provide support services such as preparing meals, cleaning, etc. This work has been invaluable to assist where there are shortages due to COVID-19 to ensure residents are receiving the care they need and deserve. Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard have served the equivalent of 7,351 days as part of the COVID-19 response.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has truly emphasized the National Guard’s vast array of capabilities as well as our devotion to our commonwealth and communities,” said Albert R. Fogle, doctor of osteopathic medicine specializing in geriatric medicine and a lieutenant colonel in the PA National Guard. “As the second largest Guard in the nation, we have been able to apply our civilian skill sets and military occupational specialties to assist long-term care facilities throughout the pandemic. Working together with our state partners and citizens is how we will get through these times of uncertainty. We are all in this together.”
