Photo by Sen. Scott Hutchinson The Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy Committee, which includes Sen. Scott Hutchinson, met last week in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, to discuss local health care issues.
Rural health care issues were the focus of the Pennsylvania Senate Majority Policy Committee last week.
Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21) serves on that committee.
A public hearing was held on February 14 at Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, and focused on: “Finding solutions to the unique health care challenges facing rural Pennsylvanians.” Hutchinson said.
“We heard from health care providers, non-emergency transportation providers, and key policy makers about how to improve care and access to care in a financially sustainable way.” Hutchinson said.
“Rural areas are great places to live and work.” said Committee Chairman Sen. Dan Laughlin (Erie County).
Laughlin explained that nearly one-third of Pennsylvania’s population lives in areas considered rural.
This poses particular challenges – Laughlin noted that these regions have older average ages and an increasing proportion of economically disadvantaged people.
Hutchinson specifically asked about data from the Pennsylvania Rural Center that identifies financially vulnerable hospitals and the increasing cost of treating COVID-19 patients.
Hutchinson said: “Looking at the map” He was surprised that some things were on the list and some were not.
He asked about the criteria for being listed as a financially vulnerable hospital.
Dr. Kyle Kopko, executive director of the Pennsylvania Rural Center, said these designations are based on profit margins.
“The cost of treating COVID-19 patients was counterintuitive to me.” Hutchinson added.
Data provided by Penn Highland System CEO Stephen Fontaine shows that the cost of treating COVID-19 patients now is higher than at the beginning of the pandemic.
“I probably thought early on that it would seem like treatment (would have been) more expensive a few years ago than it is now, because so much is known about the coronavirus and the treatment protocols. Ta.
“You’re saying that patient care costs are going up. I’m perplexed by that.”
Fontaine cited a shortage of staff and doctors, as well as an increase in medicines and specialty services.
It costs money.
“The cost still remains.” He said, “Even though the pandemic has passed for most people.”
