HARRISBURG – Due to concerns about decades of bureaucratic inactivity and the waste of millions of taxpayer dollars at the state-owned White Haven Center, Hamburg Center, and Polk Center, the Pennsylvania Senate approved legislation introduced by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48), and Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21) to move the issue forward by a bipartisan vote of 47-3.

“Spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars each year maintaining these three properties with their future uncertain is completely irresponsible,” said Argall. “They should be returned to the tax rolls and providing jobs for local people as soon as humanly possible, without unending bureaucratic delays.”

Without community or legislative input, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services shut down the Hamburg Center in 2018 and the White Haven and Polk centers in 2023. Since then, these centers have sat mostly unused and empty, leaving taxpayers on the hook for millions every year to maintain empty buildings.

“It is unsettling to see how the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania Department of General Services had no real plan in place when these properties closed,” said Gebhard. “This legislation is the much-needed spur to get the redevelopment conversations going.”

According to the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, carryover costs for all three properties during the 2023-24 fiscal year totaled $28.1 million – $8.9 million for the White Haven Center, $3.9 million for the Hamburg Center, and $15.3 million for the Polk Center.

“The closure of Polk, Hamburg, and White Haven state centers by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services highlights a troubling absence of foresight,” remarked Hutchinson. “Dismantling vital services without a clear, compassionate plan for the future leaves both residents and communities in a state of uncertainty and neglect.”

Senate Bill 1277 demands a detailed plan from the Pennsylvania Department of General Services on how it will repurpose these three properties. Under the bill, the department must also provide the legislature with the yearly costs of each property since the institutions were closed, expected costs associated with each property if they are not sold, and costs relating to the demolition or refurbishment of the buildings at each property.

The senators highlighted the example of the former Allentown State Hospital as the worst-case scenario if action is not taken. Closed in 2010, the state spent approximately $2.2 million each year for 10 years for upkeep and security until ultimately razing it in 2020 for an additional $12.7 million – a total of about $34.7 million. Through inaction, the state nearly tripled the amount of taxpayer dollars wasted.

Senate Bill 1277 now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

CONTACT: Jim Brugger (Argall)
Alex Gamble (Gebhard)
Justin Leventry (Hutchinson)

HARRISBURG – In recognition of National Midwifery Week, Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-40) hosted a Midwifery Advocacy Day along with midwives, advocates and fellow legislators to raise awareness and celebrate the introduction of legislation aimed at modernizing midwifery practice across Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 1262 – or the Midwifery Modernization Act – would expand access to high-quality maternity care for families across the commonwealth by modernizing midwifery laws and improving maternal health outcomes.

“Pennsylvania families are facing increasing barriers when it comes to accessing quality maternal and infant health care, especially in rural areas,” said Brown. “The March of Dimes’ latest Maternity Care Desert Report highlights the difficult choices many families face, with residents in 20 counties needing to travel out of their communities to find care. By passing the Midwifery Modernization Act, we can align Pennsylvania with national trends, expand access to essential care and ensure that certified midwives can continue to provide high-quality, professional support for expecting mothers and their newborns. This legislation is a vital step toward improving maternal health care and outcomes in the commonwealth.”

Midwives play an essential role in the health care system, providing comprehensive care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and gynecological services. Their expertise includes identifying high-risk pregnancies, monitoring maternal health, and offering support during labor and delivery, as well as addressing postpartum mental health.

The Midwifery Modernization Act amends the Medical Practice Act of 1985, updating licensure for certified midwives, modernizing prescription regulations for drug addiction treatment and improving collaboration between midwives and physicians. This legislative update will expand access to maternal care, increase patient choice and improve health outcomes for families across the state.

Brown was joined by advocates and health care professionals who underscored the importance of midwifery care.

“March of Dimes supports efforts to increase access to midwifery care in all states. Midwives can improve access to maternity care in under-resourced areas, reduce interventions that contribute to the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity in pregnancies, lower costs, and improve the health of mothers and babies,” said Melissa Patti, director of Maternal and Infant Health at March of Dimes.

“The Pennsylvania Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (PA ACNM) is glad that midwifery is being included in discussions on how to improve outcomes for Pennsylvania families. Accessible midwifery care will help turn the tide on the poor outcomes we see across the state. The more midwives working to the full extent of their education and certification, the more highly qualified professionals we’ll have to deliver the high-quality care Pennsylvanians deserve,” said Emily McGahey, clinical director at the Midwife Center and Region 2 representative on the American College of Nurse-Midwives board.

To become certified, Pennsylvania midwives must complete rigorous education and licensure requirements, including a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an accredited midwifery education program, passing the national certification exam and maintaining licensure through continuing education.

View the entire press conference here.

CONTACT:
Christine Zubeck

HARRISBURG – Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) applauded today’s announcement that Moody’s Investor Services upgraded Pennsylvania’s credit rating to Aa2 based on the state’s strong budget reserves and prudent financial management.

The announcement was the fourth major upgrade to the state’s financial outlook in the past 13 months. In September 2023, Moody’s Investor Services and S&P Global Ratings both affirmed Pennsylvania’s current Bond Rating and revised the state’s financial outlook from “Stable” to “Positive.” In November 2023, Fitch Ratings upgraded the state’s bond rating from AA- to AA.

The previous upgrades helped Pennsylvania save nearly $100 million during the December 2023 bond sale.

While Martin said the bond rating upgrade was good news, he also added that Moody’s revision of the state’s financial outlook today from “Positive” to “Stable” is a reminder that lawmakers and the governor still have work to do to achieve a sustainable, structurally balanced budget in the future.

Moody’s specifically noted that a sustained return to structurally balanced budgets and maintenance of sound budget reserves could lead to future credit upgrades, while sustained budgetary imbalance and depletion of reserves could lead to future downgrades.

“Today’s announcement is another positive step as we continue to work toward achieving responsible, structurally balanced budgets in the years ahead. At the same time, it serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining the state’s Rainy Day Fund and avoiding the temptation to overspend and create bigger deficits in the future. We have worked very hard to achieve these credit rating upgrades that save taxpayers huge amounts of money, and we owe it to taxpayers to continue to manage their money wisely,” Martin said.

CONTACT: Jason Thompson