February 25, 2021 PA House Hearing on Budget Focuses on COVID-19 Vaccine, Response During a marathon budget hearing today, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam testified before the House Appropriations Committee, providing insight about Governor Wolf’s 2021–2022 state budget proposal for the Department of Health. While much of the hearing’s questioning focused on the commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Acting Secretary Beam also answered questions regarding maternal mortality and gun violence as a public health crisis, committing to improve the commonwealth’s current situation.
February 25, 2021 HAP, Hospitals, and Business Community Urge Caution about “Right to Refuse” Proposal Officials representing Pennsylvania’s hospitals and health systems testified before state lawmakers today about a new proposal seeking to give employees the right to refuse vaccines and medical screenings as a condition of their employment.
February 24, 2021 National Guard COVID-19 Vaccine Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk A bill giving the Pennsylvania National Guard the ability to assist with the planning of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution is heading to Governor Tom Wolf’s desk for approval.
February 24, 2021 AHA Report Highlights Financial Fallout from COVID-19 A report released today from the American Hospital Association (AHA) outlines the damaging financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on hospitals and the continued pressures they will face during 2021.
February 08, 2021 PA Hearing: Vaccine Shortage Continues to Pose Challenge The COVID-19 vaccine supply shortage remains the largest obstacle slowing the pace of vaccination across the commonwealth, area hospital, community, and public health leaders told the House Democratic Policy Committee during a public hearing today.
February 05, 2021 Amended PA House Bill Calls for National Guard Plan Today, the Pennsylvania House unanimously approved a measure allowing the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist with the distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine across the commonwealth. The bill, sponsored by Representative Tim O’Neal (R-Washington), now moves to the Senate for consideration. The vote comes a day after lawmakers amended the House bill, removing language mandating the Pennsylvania National Guard set up mass vaccination clinics in every Pennsylvania county.
February 04, 2021 PA Senate Hearing Highlights COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts, Areas to Improve Statewide Distribution Today, clinical leaders from two Pennsylvania health systems provided state lawmakers with an update about their efforts to bring mass vaccination clinics to their communities and the need to increase the federal supply of the COVID-19 vaccine.
February 03, 2021 Governor Wolf Outlines Priorities in 2021–2022 Budget Address Governor Tom Wolf today presented his proposal for the fiscal year 2021–2022 state budget, calling for a $37.8 billion spending plan that outlines his path toward economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
February 03, 2021 PA Hospitals, Health Officials Testify about COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, Challenges Two of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 vaccine providers testified today before the Pennsylvania House Health Committee about the challenges they face to administer the vaccine and the need for additional support, communication, and vaccine supply to improve the overall process.
February 03, 2021 HAP Statement on Governor Wolf’s State Budget Address Andy Carter, president and CEO of The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), released a statement in response to Governor Wolf’s fiscal year 2021–2022 state budget address.