April 08, 2025 - Tyrone, PA
In an ongoing effort to strengthen the rural health care workforce and support rural hospitals in Pennsylvania, Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visited Penn Highlands Tyrone to highlight Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed investments in Pennsylvania's rural health care workforce as part of the 2025-26 budget to improve access to care. "The Shapiro Administration is taking a multi-pronged approach to address challenges facing rural hospitals across Pennsylvania," said Secretary Bogen, who has visited nearly a dozen rural hospitals throughout the state. "Governor Shapiro's budget proposal offers recruitment and retention incentives that would support additional health care professionals, including behavioral health providers and health professionals to work in rural hospitals and communities."Pennsylvania is facing shortages of health care professionals, particularly in rural communities, where there is only one primary care physician for every 522 residents. Conversely, in urban areas, there is one primary care physician for every 222 residents. That means rural Pennsylvanians, who already must travel further distances to see their doctors, also have less access to health care.Speakers Include:Penn Highlands Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Trina Abla Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh
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