How Pennsylvania’s Rural Hospitals are Making a Difference

Celebrating the #PowerofRural on Rural Health Day

November 21, 2024

Pennsylvania’s rural hospitals support more than three million Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth—and their impact goes far beyond patient care.

On National Rural Health Day, HAP joins organizations across the country in thanking Pennsylvania’s rural hospitals for their unwavering commitment to support their communities. Our rural hospitals serve a critical role to protect access to care and to address the unique health challenges rural citizens face today.

Here are four things to know on Rural Health Day as we celebrate the #PowerOfRural:

• Supporting health:  Pennsylvania’s rural hospitals provided more than $47 million in charity care and invested almost $24 million in programs and initiatives to make their communities healthier during fiscal year (FY) 2023.
• Economic engines:  During FY 2023, Pennsylvania rural hospitals produced $17 billion in economic value ($10 billion directly, $7 billion through ripple effects) and supported more than 80,000 jobs (44,400 direct, 35,600 ripple), contributing $5.1 billion in wages and benefits ($3.3 billion direct, $1.8 billion ripple).
• Making a difference:  Rural hospitals are committed to their communities, addressing food insecurity and promoting healthy nutrition; driving world-class research; training the future workforce; and bringing the latest advances in care to their regions.
• Advocacy in action:  Pennsylvania’s rural hospitals need support to thrive.
  • This year, HAP and HealthyMePA launched a campaign to reinforce the critical role rural hospitals play in their communities and the need for sustainable resources to ensure they can maintain access to care.
  • State legislators and the Shapiro administration recognized the urgent need to support rural hospitals in the state budget, allocating about $54 million in new state and federal funds for rural hospitals.

HAP is proud to represent Pennsylvania’s rural hospitals and celebrate the indispensable role they play in their communities.

HAP is committed to advocating for policies and legislation that allow our rural hospitals to thrive. This includes a focus on access to telehealth and new models of care that can help ensure these hospitals have the resources they need to serve their communities now and in the future.

For additional information about Rural Health Day, contact Kate Slatt, HAP’s vice president, policy and care delivery.