State Reps. Tina Davis, John Galloway and Perry Warren announced the unanimous passage in the House of H.B. 253, which would deliver $225 million in federal money set aside by the American Rescue Plan for healthcare employees in Pennsylvania.
“Nurses and healthcare workers in Bucks County have selflessly sacrificed for the greater good since the first days of the pandemic,” said Davis, House Democratic Caucus secretary. “I am proud to support this measure to help dedicated nurses and provide the money needed to help healthcare workers and improve healthcare in Bucks County and throughout the state.”
House Bill 253 would provide $110 million to hospitals that provide behavioral health services, serve a high amount of Medical Assistance clients, or are in some of the most rural parts of the state so they, too, can retrain and recruit the staff they need at the bedside. It would also provide $100 million for needed retention and recruitment funds for direct care staff. Another $15 million would be used to increase the amount of student loan forgiveness that can be provided to nurses in various settings, including the Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program.
“The pandemic placed additional stresses on society, resulting in a rise of mental health issues,” said Galloway. “Throughout the commonwealth, behavioral health provider staff have been addressing the increased need for care for nearly two years without a break. They have literally saved lives but at cost to their own health. Thanks to this legislation, these heroes will get the additional assistance needed to continue to provide lifesaving care to our families and communities.”
“The past two years have been a challenge for everyone, and perhaps most of all for our healthcare workers,” said Warren. “Yet, whether in hospitals, or in public or private healthcare settings, our dedicated healthcare workers have come to work every day, caring for the sick, preserving health and saving lives. This bill recognizes their commitment and will help Pennsylvania healthcare providers retain and recruit essential frontline workers.”
“Three weeks ago, my administration convened a working group including all four caucuses to identify immediate investments to support the healthcare workforce overburdened by staffing shortages after years of battling the pandemic on the front lines,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “Together, Democrats and Republicans came together in a bipartisan effort to address this issue through House Bill 253. I am proud to sign this critical legislation into law to support our healthcare workforce and ensure Pennsylvanians can continue to receive quality care for emergency health issues and lifesaving procedures.”
In addition to the funding to support the healthcare workforce, House Bill 253 also creates the Opioid Abuse Child Impact Task Force to focus on improving the safety, wellbeing and permanency of substance-exposed infants and other young children affected by their parents’ substance abuse disorders.
