Northern Tier News

Legislation aimed at enhancing health care access in Pennsylvania's rural areas has passed the House of Representatives with significant backing from Rep. Tina Pickett, a co-sponsor of the bill. The proposed House Bill 157 seeks to establish the Rural Health Care Grant Program, designed to assist certain health care providers in repaying their student loans.

"We believe this grant program will help to resolve the current shortage of health care professionals at our rural hospitals and improve access to care in the Northern Tier and other similar communities statewide," stated Pickett. "The idea is to offer a financial incentive for doctors and nurses to work at facilities in areas that are experiencing staffing challenges."

The bill allows hospitals located in rural counties or designated medically underserved areas to apply for grants from the Department of Health. These funds can be used by hospitals to attract doctors and nurses by helping them pay off student loans.

Eligibility criteria for receiving grant money include starting practice at a rural hospital within six months of accepting a position, working full-time (defined as 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month), and committing to a minimum three-year tenure at the hospital.

House Bill 157 will now proceed to the Senate for further consideration.