Tyrone, PA – This week, the Secretaries of the Departments of Health (DOH) and Human Services (DHS) yesterday highlighted Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed investments in Pennsylvania’s rural health care workforce as part of the 2025-26 budget during a visit to Penn Highlands Tyrone.
Governor Shapiro is doubling down on his support for rural health care workers in the 2025-26 budget, proposing $10 million to specifically provide support to rural hospitals that are continuously subjected to changing health care markets and that have been forced to cut or shutter services. This investment will also leverage an additional $25.1 million in federal matching funds, bringing total support to $35.1 million. The 2025-26 proposed budget further invests $5 million to expand the Primary Care Loan Repayment Program, offering loan repayment for health care providers in rural communities.
See what Pennsylvanians are hearing about the Administration’s work to improve rural health care in the Commonwealth:
WJAC: State health officials address rural health care shortfalls during Blair County visit
WTAJ: Shapiro Admin visits Blair County, hopes to help rural health care
WPSU: State officials visit Tyrone hospital to promote proposed rural health care investments
Altoona Mirror: Rural health care issues in focus
Yahoo! News: Shapiro Admin visits Blair County, hopes to help rural health care
Watch the full video, including an interview with Penn Highlands Healthcare System Chief Medical Officer Dr. Trina Abla discussing the challenges facing rural health care providers, on PAcast.
###