Dr. Carrie Rowe, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
In Blair County, Pennsylvania, key Shapiro Administration officials highlighted proposed investments aimed at addressing rural health care workforce shortages. Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visited Penn Highlands Tyrone as part of ongoing efforts connected to the 2025-26 budget proposal by Governor Josh Shapiro.
"The Shapiro Administration is taking a multi-pronged approach to address challenges facing rural hospitals across Pennsylvania," stated Secretary Bogen. "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."
The state faces a significant disparity in the availability of health care professionals, particularly in rural regions. Currently, there is a single primary care physician for every 522 residents in these areas, compared to one for every 222 residents in urban regions. This shortage impacts residents who already travel longer distances to access medical care.
The event's speakers included Penn Highlands Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Trina Abla, Dr. Debra Bogen, and Dr. Val Arkoosh.
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