House, Senate Dems Discuss Access to Healthcare at Scranton Hearing

House, Senate Dems Discuss Access to Healthcare at Scranton Hearing

May 14, 2024

SCRANTON, May 14, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, chair of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Sen. Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne) and Rep. Bridget Kosierowski (D-Lackawanna) in Scranton to co-host a public hearing focusing on lack of access to healthcare in communities across Pennsylvania.

“The closure of hospitals across the state has dramatically increased over the last several years, leaving many without nearby access to emergency rooms, maternity care services and specialist providers,” Muth said. “Access to quality, timely healthcare is a human right and continuing the for-profit health care business model is not sustainable or equitable. We need a system overhaul that ensures patient-centered care, not for-profit care.”

The hearing, held at Lackawanna County in downtown Scranton, featured discussion on the crisis caused by hospital closures across the Commonwealth. According to statistics provided by the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, there were 33 hospital closures in Pennsylvania during the past 20 years, including 15 in just the past five years.

“This is not an issue that’s unique to just one area. We’re seeing health care deserts pop up across the Commonwealth,” Bizzarro said. “It’s past time we work to make sure all Pennsylvanians have fair and equal access to health care, and it starts with addressing the workforce shortage and other issues causing hospital closures.” 

A 2023 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health concluded that barriers to healthcare are often determined by the location where a person resides. Approximately 2 million Pennsylvania residents live in areas designated as dental or mental healthcare Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and 500,000 lived in primary care HPSAs in 2022.

“Today’s policy hearing at Lackawanna College brought crucial attention to the dire state of healthcare in Pennsylvania,” Flynn added. “As we discussed the alarming trend of hospital closures and soaring healthcare costs, it became evident that too many Pennsylvanians are being left without the vital care they require. It’s imperative that we take action now to guarantee access to quality healthcare for all citizens.”

According to testimony at the hearing, Pennsylvania will need an estimated 1,000 or more additional primary care physicians within the next six years. A projection by Mercer found that by 2026, Pennsylvania will have the largest shortfall of registered nurses in the nation (20,345) and the third largest shortfalls of mental health professionals (6,330) and nursing support staff (277,711). 

“As a nurse, I saw too many patients arrive at our hospital with advanced disease because they didn’t have access to preventable care earlier. We have to fix this because we deserve better here in the Commonwealth,” Kosierowski added. “We have many challenges to work through, but I’m confident we can find solutions and reduce healthcare deserts in Pennsylvania.”

Two bills have been introduced in the Senate to address the issues of hospital closures. Senate Bill 83, introduced by Senator Muth, would require approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health before a hospital or hospital system can be purchased. Senate Bill 83 would also require that the Department of Health reviews applications, holds public hearings, and prepares impact statements. It would also require price transparency from hospitals or hospital systems so that patients have full access to the costs of items and services provided. 

A second bill, Senate Bill 548 introduced by Sen. Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), would give the Attorney General the ability to review and challenge hospital and nursing home mergers, acquisitions, dividend recapitalizations, and other critical transactions that enrich shareholders but threaten the public interest in access to quality care. 

“The healthcare industry is undergoing a drawn-out transformation that is leaving millions of Pennsylvanians without access to quality care,” Kearney added. “Lawmakers need to put protections like my bill, SB548, in place to prevent healthcare consolidation that is at the root of service cuts, closures, and rising prices.”

Other participants in the hearing included Dr. Tammy Torres, President, Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton; Patrick Keenan, Director of Policy & Partnership, Pennsylvania Health Access Network; and state Reps. Kyle Mullins (D-Lackawanna), Kyle Donahue (D-Lackawanna), Dan Williams (D-Chester), Leanne Krueger (D-Delaware), and Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny).

For more information on this policy hearing and to access all submitted testimony and a full recording of today’s hearing, visit www.SenatorMuth.com/policy.

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Testimony

Testimony

Senator Marty Flynn and State Rep Bridget Kosierowski Applaud $49.5 Million Investment in Pedestrian Access and Student Safety Across Pennsylvania by Shapiro Administration

Senator Marty Flynn and State Rep Bridget Kosierowski Applaud $49.5 Million Investment in Pedestrian Access and Student Safety Across Pennsylvania by Shapiro Administration

April 26, 2024

Harrisburg, PA – April 26, 2024 – Today, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll announced investments totaling more than $49.5 million in 55 projects aimed at enhancing community resources and public accessibility throughout the Commonwealth.

“A diverse transportation network that is both accessible and safe is the cornerstone of healthy, connected communities,” said Secretary Carroll. “I am excited to see the investment in communities around the state to improve access to critical services.”

Through the Surface Transportation Block Grant program Set-Aside, also known as the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside), the Administration has prioritized projects that improve biking and walking paths, pedestrian access to public transportation, community improvement activities, environmental mitigation projects, and trails. Moreover, awards include safe routes to school (SRTS) projects designed to create and improve alternative access to schools via new crosswalks, sidewalks, and walking paths.

“This investment in pedestrian access and safety across the Commonwealth is a crucial step towards promoting healthy and connected communities,” commented Senator Marty Flynn. “By prioritizing projects that enhance biking paths, sidewalks, and public transit access, while also focusing on student safety with new crosswalks and walking paths to schools, this initiative demonstrates a commitment to improving the quality of life for all our residents.”

Representative Kosierowski noted that these funds are the result of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s roads and bridges, internet availability, clean water projects, and investments in communities like Dickson City that have too often been left behind with infrastructure funding.

Notable awarded projects include:

  • Dickson City Borough – $1,500,000 to complete the remaining portion of the streetscape along Main Avenue, from Jermyn St. to Dundaff Street. The project also includes the installation of a concrete sidewalk along Enterprise Street.
  • Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority – $600,335 to construct a one-mile section of ADA-accessible trail and a new trailhead on the Throop/Olyphant border at the intersection of South Valley Avenue and Rock Street. The new section will link to the intersection of Valley Avenue and North Garfield Avenue in Olyphant. It will also build a pedestrian bridge near the confluence of Eddy Creek and the Lackawanna River in Olyphant, providing a ribbon of safety intertwining Throop, Olyphant, and Dickson City.  Composed of a wooden deck and metal frame, the bridge will be approximately six feet wide by 120 feet long and include new abutments on both sides of the river.

PennDOT received 137 applications this round, requesting over $165 million. Selections were made based on established criteria such as safety benefits, cost-effectiveness, readiness for implementation, impact on low-income or minority communities, statewide or regional significance, integration of land use and transportation decision-making, collaboration with stakeholders, and leveraging of other projects or funding. Applications were reviewed by representatives from PennDOT, the state Department of Conservation, and Natural Resources.

For further information on the awarded projects and PennDOT’s ongoing efforts to enhance pedestrian access and safety, please visit PennDOT’s official website.

 

Flynn, Baker, Brown Secure More than $23 Million to Improve High-Speed Internet Access in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Flynn, Baker, Brown Secure More than $23 Million to Improve High-Speed Internet Access in Northeastern Pennsylvania

April 18, 2024

HARRISBURG – April 18, 2024 – The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) announced today that northeastern Pennsylvania is being awarded more than $23 million to increase access to reliable, high-speed internet, according to Sens. Lisa Baker (R-20), Rosemary Brown (R-40) and Marty Flynn (D-22).

“Money for expanded and enhanced internet access is a key component of every economic development strategy, benefiting all communities. It is especially crucial in helping rural areas remain competitive for jobs. This helps businesses, institutions, educators, workers and at-home entrepreneurs. Wherever I go across the region, this funding has been a prominent request from officials and residents,” Baker said. “Even this down payment on meeting a range of needs will have a tangible impact. We are relying on the companies to utilize the funding in ways that will provide the greatest benefit for the entire customer base.”

The approved grants include separate projects being performed by Adams Cable TV, Comcast Cable and Verizon:

  • $9,059,471 to Comcast Cable for a project totaling $22,029,647 in Lackawanna County.
  • $3,811,319 to Verizon for a project totaling $9,295,901 in Lackawanna County.
  • $4,348,419 to Comcast Cable for a project totaling $9,976,419 in Luzerne County.
  • $2,988,566 to Verizon Cable for a project totaling $5,953,318 in Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties.
  • $387,969 to Adams Cable TV for a project totaling $517,292 in Wayne County.
  • $2,790,914 to Comcast Cable for a project totaling $4,018,651 in Wyoming County.

Made possible through the federally funded Broadband Infrastructure Program, $200 million in competitive grants have been allocated for projects across the state aimed at areas without access to 25/3 Mbps internet service.

“High-speed internet isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity for residents, especially in regions like northeastern Pennsylvania. It’s the key to unlocking economic opportunity, educational advancement and community connectivity. Without it, we risk leaving entire communities behind in the digital age,” Brown said. “I commend the PBDA for their proactive approach in ensuring the success of this initiative. Together, we will propel northeastern Pennsylvania into a future where reliable internet access is a reality for all.”

To ensure transparency and efficiency, the PBDA mandates quarterly and annual progress reports from grantees, accompanied by comprehensive guidance on state and federal requirements and technical support. All funds must be utilized by Dec. 31, 2026. Grantees will be held accountable for the prudent expenditure of awarded funds. The PBDA can claw back any unused or misused funds.

“This investment is a critical step toward bridging the digital divide,” Flynn said. “Access to high-speed internet is essential for education, healthcare, business and everyday life. These funds will empower our constituents and strengthen our local economy.”

This inaugural round of grants represents a significant milestone in the PBDA’s broader initiative to close the digital divide since the General Assembly established the PBDA in 2021.

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