Issues from hospital funding to insurance coverage, the opioid crisis to behavioral health resources, are constantly being discussed in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.
Recently, Pennsylvania put into place next year’s state budget (for 2018–19). This budget maintains important funding for special hospital programs––obstetrics/neonatal services, hospital burn and trauma centers, and critical access hospitals that support essential services in rural communities.
Healthy Me PA has been sharing stories about these important services to educate the community about the special role they play in the state’s health care system. Without the appropriate state funding, hospitals and health systems can’t provide these services.
The budget also included:
- Funding for hospitals to continue providing quality health care, help the most vulnerable patients, and invest in new technology and a strong workforce
- Funding to support hospitals in addressing opioid use disorders
A few other health care highlights from the state budget:
- Funding to expand access to opioid treatment services and home visiting services for families affected by opioid use disorder
- Additional funds for services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism
- Funding to improve the long-term care system and serve more people in the community
- Funding for education and prevention activities for Lyme disease
It’s important that you pay attention to what’s happening in the state and federal government because your elected officials are making decisions that affect you and your loved ones. Sometimes their plans are good. But sometimes their plans could harm health care in your community.
Healthy Me PA works to keep you up to date on key health care issues. We give you concise information and bite-sized content to keep you in the know.
Be an informed health care consumer. Engage with Healthy Me PA.
Stay tuned for more good stuff!