HARRISBURG – This month’s local TV program hosted by Senator David G. Argall (R-Berks/Schuylkill) focuses on a recent workshop discussion conducted by the Senate Majority Policy Committee on the challenges facing Pennsylvania’s rural hospitals.
“Nearly half of our rural hospitals operated in negative margins in 2019,” said Argall who chairs the Senate Majority Policy Committee. “The Department of Health recently warned that there is a real danger that some of these facilities may need to close. With the ongoing difficulties caused by the pandemic, rural hospitals continue to see their problems exacerbated.”
The workshop discussion took place in Monongahela, Pennsylvania at the request of Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-Beaver/Greene/Washington). Panelists for this conversation included the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania, the President of Washington Health System Greene, the President and CEO of Monongahela Valley Hospital, and county commissioners from Greene and Washington counties.
“If there’s one thing we learned more than anything, it’s that one-size-fits-all approaches and the lack of communication have not improved rural healthcare,” Argall continued. “The Department of Health must present clear guidance for these facilities that want to deliver the best care possible to their patients. What’s not helping our rural residents is the fact that Governor Wolf also vetoed a telemedicine bill which would have helped millions of residents. I would encourage both Governor Wolf and Secretary of Health Levine to work with our rural providers, rather than working against them.”
This edition of the Argall report will air on:
- Blue Ridge Communications (Channel 13) every Monday at 10 a.m. and every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m.
- Berks Community Television (Comcast – Channel 15 and Service Electric – Channel 19) on Thursday at 8 p.m. and Friday at 6 p.m.
- Shen-Heights TV, Hazleton’s WLYN TV 35 and MetroCast Communications Channel 10. Please check local listings for air times.
Senator Argall’s report is also available online at www.SenatorArgall.com.
Contact:
Joshua J. Paul
717.787.2637