West Central PA News

INDIANA, PA – The Hospital and Health System Emergency Relief Program grant application period is now open, according to Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41). As part of the current 2023-2024 fiscal year state budget, $50 million was included for the Hospital and Health System Emergency Relief Program. Recognizing hospitals are economic drivers within the communities they serve, administration of the program was placed under Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

Sen. Joe Pittman expressed his enthusiasm for the funding allocation, stating, "This funding will go a long way in strengthening access to health care services within our area, by helping to support all three Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network (PMCN) partners." Pittman further highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, saying, "Establishing this program was a collective effort and I was pleased to work with my colleagues in the House, Representatives Brian Smith, Jim Struzzi, Donna Oberlander and Abby Major."

The three hospitals in the 41st Senatorial District set to benefit from this funding are Armstrong County Memorial Hospital (ACMH) with $1,226,000, Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) with $1,341,000, and Punxsutawney Area Hospital (PAH) with $1,181,000. Pittman emphasized his dedication to the Pennsylvania Mountains Care Network (PMCN), stating, "I remain fully committed to the success of PMCN and will continue to do all I can to support their growth during my time in office."

The program aims to provide critical working capital to help stabilize hospitals across Pennsylvania as they recover from pandemic-era disruptions and navigate financial constraints, workforce shortages, and mental health and opioid crises.

Contact for media inquiries: Kate Flessner kflessner@pasen.gov