|  | | Capitol Update | | Friday, February 28, 2025 | The latest news from the State Capitol |
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The Fight for Rural Health Care Will Continue
State officials, along with county commissioners from Potter, Cameron and McKean counties, and representatives of our federal lawmakers met with UPMC officials Wednesday regarding their plans to drop labor and delivery services at UPMC Cole. Despite the strong case we laid out for keeping these services in Coudersport, and the deep concerns we shared about the risks to expectant mothers and their babies, UPMC will not reverse course on its decision.
Their actions cause a significant maternity care desert with no labor and delivery services in multiple counties in our region. UPMC insists the reason for the decision is their inability to recruit an OB/Gyn physician to Coudersport, along with a shortage of labor and delivery Registered Nurses. UPMC is adamant this is not a financial decision; however, I question that premise because I have heard from area nurses that UPMC Cole pays some of the lowest rates in our region. We have so many exceptionally skilled and talented health care professionals in our region who should be compensated appropriately for their life-saving skills.
I specifically raised concerns about the risk this action poses for our expectant mothers and babies with long travel times to another facility, transportation accessibility challenges and the burden placed on our already fragile EMS system. In response, we were told UPMC was committed to providing 24/7 ambulance transportation for inter facility transport of patients; personalized coordination of transportation services; and overnight accommodations for expectant mothers and family members, including fuel subsidies.
Legislators have focused a great deal of resources on rural health care over the last several years but what has become clear to me is our supposedly not-for-profit huge health care companies are failing to live up to their commitment to providing affordable, accessible care in rural communities like ours. We deserve better and I will continue to fight for rural health care.
$650K in Grants Awarded for Area Roadwork
More than $650,000 in state grants were awarded this week for three road paving and reconstruction projects in McKean County.
The grants were awarded as follows:
| | • | Kane: $225,000 for repaving several streets in the borough. | | | • | Ceres Township: $200,000 toward reconstruction of Barden Brook Road. | | | • | Eldred Township: $228,500 for reconstruction of Township Route 338, also known as Newell Creek Road. |
The funding comes from the Multimodal Transportation Fund under the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which manages the state’s economic stimulus programs. The fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation is available in the Commonwealth.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Clinics Winding Down
Our series of clinics to help eligible residents apply for the 2024 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is winding down with just five clinics left, including four next week. They are scheduled as follows:
| | • | Bradford Senior Center, 60 Campus Drive, Bradford: Monday, March 3, 9-11 a.m. | | | • | Oswayo Valley Senior Center, 128 Lyons St., Shinglehouse: Tuesday, March 4, 9-11 a.m. |
| | • | Austin Borough Office, 21 Turner St., Austin: Wednesday, March 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
| | • | Coudersport Senior Center, 165 Route 6 West, Coudersport: Thursday, March 6, 10 a.m. to noon. |
No appointments are necessary to participate in the above clinics, and there is no charge for assistance.
The final event will be held on Thursday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Emporium Senior Center, 105 E. Fourth St. Appointments are preferred for this clinic and should be made by calling the center at 814-486-3707.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible residents 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older. This year’s income limit is $46,520 for both homeowners and renters; be sure to exclude 50% of Social Security or railroad retirement income. The maximum rebate is $1,000.
Click here for a detailed list of documentation needed to apply for the rebates. |
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