HAP Statement on the 2026–2027 State Budget

Harrisburg, PA (July 12, 2026)—The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) today reacted to passage of the 2026–2027 state budget. HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings released the following statement:

“Pennsylvania hospitals need urgent support to maintain the care and services that our communities depend on. Across the commonwealth, communities are already feeling the effects of hospital closures and the loss of essential services, like emergency care and labor and delivery, because Pennsylvania has fallen behind peers in adequately supporting hospital care. This trajectory will significantly worsen as hospitals absorb imminent payment cuts and more uncompensated care. An expert analysis released in January projected that, without intervention, as many as 12–14 more Pennsylvania hospitals could close by 2030, and one has already closed since then.

“HAP appreciates that the 2026–2027 budget protects funding for essential hospital services and rural hospitals, and reinstates distressed hospital support that was previously zeroed out. But more support is needed. HAP thanks those legislators who demonstrated that hospital stability is a priority. We will continue to advocate and emphasize the urgency for action to address the real threat to Pennsylvanians’ access to care: Below-average payments that fall short of hospitals’ actual cost for providing care.

“We cannot have healthy, vibrant, and economically competitive communities in Pennsylvania without financially stable hospitals. HAP continues to put forward solutions for policymakers to preserve access to care and help our communities thrive.”