The Hill, By Former Sens. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), opinion contributors — 06/12/19.  The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill

As former senators from rural states, we’ve seen firsthand the importance of providing affordable, quality care to those living in rural areas. The isolation that exists in some parts of South Dakota and Maine means residents have limited access to care.

Many patients must travel great distances to even reach a hospital. Yet more and more rural hospitals are closing around the country. In fact, 106 of them have shut down since 2010. It is staggering to think of these challenges when, compared to people living in urban and suburban areas, rural Americans are generally older and poorer, more uninsured or underinsured, and therefore less healthy.

Rural health is a bipartisan issue that greatly concerns all Americans. While it has never been a top tier issue on the campaign trail, we believe it could be a powerful topic in the 2020 election and demands attention by policymakers and candidates.

Our survey with the American Heart Association conducted by Morning Consult, shows that 92 percent of Democrats and 93 percent of Republicans consider access to rural health an important issue. Perhaps even more encouraging, three in five voters say they are more likely to endorse a candidate who makes access to rural health care a priority.

At a time when Democrats and Republicans agree on little, it is clear rural health transcends political parties. However, efforts by lawmakers to revive rural America have been largely unsuccessful in recent years. People living in remote areas continue to face greater disparities and barriers to high-quality health care than those in non-rural communities.

More than half of the rural voters polled say access to medical specialists, such as cardiologists, oncologists and gynecologists, is a problem in their local community, compared to 33 percent of non-rural voters, and more than one-quarter (27 percent) say it is difficult to access behavioral health professionals, compared to 16 percent of non-rural voters. Forty-seven percent of rural voters also agree access to quality health care is a challenge, compared to 34 percent of non-rural voters.

In addition to our national poll, we surveyed adults living in three rural states that will be important in the 2020 election: Iowa, North Carolina, and Texas. When it comes to accessing medical services or treatment, rural voters are more likely than urban and suburban voters to agree that appointment availability (56 vs. 50 percent) and the distance to receive care (50 vs. 37 percent) are obstacles.

Today, nearly 60 million Americans live in rural communities. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show these residents have a greater risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory disease, and that should prompt candidates and policymakers alike, to take action.

Four policy options could help rural communities receive the quality care they deserve:

First, allow rural communities to adjust their health care services to better suit the needs of their local area. Critical Access Hospitals and other rural inpatient facilities need pathways to transform, in order to focus on emergency and outpatient services, and primary and prevention-focused care.

In Texas alone, 17 hospitals have closed in the past nine years. One in five Texas voters say it is difficult to access hospitals, urgent care facilities, primary care physicians, and medical specialists in their community.

Second, create new payment mechanisms for rural providers that account for low patient volumes, growing health care needs, and demographic trends in rural communities. Facilitate alternative payment and care delivery models that could help hospitals transition to value-based care.

Third, build and support a sustainable and diverse workforce. The patient-to-primary care physician ratio in urban areas is 53 physicians per 100,000 people, while rural areas have only 40 physicians for the same number of residents.  

Indeed, our survey shows that one in three rural adults in North Carolina — and 46 percent in Iowa — believe that access to medical specialists and quality health care are problems in their communities. New workforce models should be designed with universities and community health centers to expose providers to rural environments and telemedicine. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists could also help fill vital primary care roles.

Fourth, expand telemedicine services to virtually connect patients with medical professionals. To be an effective tool, rural areas need adequate broadband and reimbursement for services.

Geography should never be an impediment to quality care. Tackling the barriers to delivering high-quality and efficient health care to rural America is long overdue. With the 2020 election campaign underway, candidates and policymakers have an opportunity to create a health care system that better serves all Americans.

Tom Daschle is a former Senate majority leader from South Dakota and a co-founder of the Bipartisan Policy Center.  Olympia Snowe is a former Senator from Maine and a BPC board member and senior fellow. They co-chair BPC’s Rural Health Task Force.   

CDC Information on Syringe Services Programs.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated information they provide on community-based prevention programs that can provide a range of services, including linkage to substance use disorder treatment; access to and disposal of sterile syringes and injection equipment; and vaccination, testing, and linkage to care and treatment for infectious diseases.

VA Announces Final Community Care Regulations under MISSION Act. On June 5, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the publication of two final regulations as part of its new Veterans Community Care Program under the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018. One of the rules focuses on a new urgent care benefit. VA also published the final regulation for the Veterans Community Care Program governing how eligible Veterans receive necessary hospital care, medical services, and extended care services from non-VA entities or providers in the community. The new Veterans Community Care Program replaces the Veterans Choice Program, which expired June 6, 2019. Of note, the final rule addresses payment of higher rates to health care providers in highly rural areas. The term “highly rural area” means an area located in a county that has fewer than seven individuals residing in that county per square mile.

 CMS Requests Feedback Reducing Regulatory Burden – August 12.  On June 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking new ideas from the public on how to reduce administrative and regulatory burden as part of the agency’s Patients over Paperwork initiative. CMS is especially seeking innovative ideas that broaden perspectives on potential solutions to relieve burden and ways to improve: reporting and documentation requirements; coding and documentation requirements for Medicare or Medicaid payment; prior authorization procedures; policies and requirements for rural providers, clinicians, and beneficiaries; policies and requirements for dually enrolled (i.e., Medicare and Medicaid) beneficiaries; beneficiary enrollment and eligibility determination; and CMS processes for issuing regulations and policies.

 HRSA Requests Public Feedback on Health Center Service Areas – July 8.  The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking input from the public on service area considerations that may inform decisions to expand the program through the addition of new service delivery sites onto existing health centers.  The considerations include factors such as proximity to existing health centers, parameters for unmet need, and consultation with other local providers.   

HRSA Releases Allied Health Workforce Projections for 2016–2030. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently released Allied Health Workforce Projections providing national-level health workforce estimates for the following occupations: chiropractors and podiatrists, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, medical and clinical laboratory technologists, occupational and physical therapists, optometrists and opticians, pharmacists, registered dieticians, and respiratory therapists.  While shortages of health care providers in rural areas is well-known, consistent data on rural allied health professionals has been difficult to collect and analyze.  Visit HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce website to see more data, projections, and federal programs.

Challenges of the Rural Opioid Epidemic: Treatment and Prevention of HIV and Hepatitis C. Previous research on HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) has focused on urban or international populations, yet the US opioid epidemic is moving away from metropolitan centers. In this report, researchers examine the increasing rurality of opioid injection, the challenges to treatment and prevention that are unique to rural areas, and the public health interventions needed to address them.

The 2020 Rx Drug Abuse Heroin & Drug Summit Call for Presentations is now open. The Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit is the largest national collaboration of professionals from local, state, and federal agencies, business, academia, treatment providers, and allied communities impacted by substance use disorder. We encourage proposals from rural and tribal communities. Here is the link to submit a presentation proposal: https://www.abstractscorecard.com/cfp/submit/login.asp?EventKey=PUEJLGXY. The deadline is August 23, 2019. There is a limit of 3 presentation proposals per submitter.

Below please find a few resources and opportunities that may be of interest:

• The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) announces the availability of funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. This notice solicits applications for projects to conduct research on 1) innovative family planning clinical service delivery models and 2) clinical interventions for linking family planning services and substance use disorder screening and treatment. OPA seeks applications from public and private nonprofit entities for up to 10 grants with a ceiling of up to $800,000 each in order to conduct research to improve the delivery of family planning services. Deadline June 14, 2019
• Improving Reentry for Adults with Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Illness: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for funding under the Second Chance Act for state and local government agencies, and Indian tribes seeking to provide reentry services and programs for offenders with co-occurring substance abuse and mental illness returning from incarceration. By facilitating successful integration, this program furthers the Department’s mission to reduce recidivism and combat violence, thereby supporting public health and safety. Deadline June 25, 2019
• USDA Rural Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program provides funds to sponsoring organizations to establish grants or low-interest loan programs for homeowners to repair or rehabilitate individual housing, rental properties, or co-ops owned and/or occupied by very low- and low-income rural persons. Priority will be given to projects designed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with Substance Use Disorder (including opioid misuse) in high-risk rural communities by strengthening the capacity to address prevention, treatment and/or recovery at the community, county, state, and/or regional levels. Click here to learn more. Deadline July 8,  2019
• Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (“WANTO”) Technical Assistance Grant Program: The Women’s Bureau (“WB”), U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL,” or “the Department,” or “we”), announce the availability of $1.5 million in grant funds. This program is intended to provide technical assistance (“TA”) to employers and labor unions to encourage employment of women in apprenticeable occupations and nontraditional occupations (“A/NTO”).  If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact Marc Purvis Grants Management Specialist purvis.marc@dol.gov. Deadline: July 8, 2019
• The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is seeking applications to support crime victims and to enhance community-driven responses to the current opioid crisis. This program furthers the Department’s mission by providing resources to support state, local, and tribal efforts to assist crime victims. The purpose of this solicitation is to address an urgent gap in crime victim services related to the opioid epidemic and to expand upon existing or establish new programs to provide services to children and youth who are victimized as the result of the opioid crisis. Click here to learn more.  Deadline July 11, 2019
• Public Transportation in Appalachia – Inventory and Assessment: The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) invites proposals to conduct research and provide guidance regarding public transportation in the Appalachian Region, with a particular focus on rural public transportation issues.  ARC recognizes that those with reliable access to opportunities and services are more likely to be successful and have a high quality of life than those with poor access.  Public transportation is an important lifeline for those with limited vehicle availability, especially in non-urban areas where biking or walking are unrealistic.  This project will help ARC better understand the extent to which existing public transportation services are adequately creating or enhancing access for disadvantaged populations, particularly in rural areas.  It will also help us better connect transportation, economic development, education, and health practitioners throughout the region to best practices and guidance regarding public transportation. Learn more at www.arc.gov. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. EDT on July 12, 2019.
• WILLIAM G. MCGOWAN CHARITABLE FUND is offering grants in support of programs and initiatives in Colorado, Kansas/Missouri, New York, and Pennsylvania that seek to correct, and ultimately eliminate, the circumstances contributing to the condition of homelessness.  Deadline:  Letters of Inquiry 7/15/2019.  Click here for guidelines and to apply

• Funding Opportunity Available for Workforce Development! The U.S. Department of Labor is making $29 million available via the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) initiative to implement innovative approaches to provide enhanced training and support activities to dislocated workers, new entrants in the workforce, incumbent workers, and individuals affected by substance use disorder returning to work. Successful awards, ranging from $150,000 – $2.5 million, will support workforce development activities that prepare eligible participants for good jobs in high-demand occupations aligned with a state, regional, or community economic development strategy. Communities across Appalachia, especially those underserved by other resources, are encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply July 15 2019.
•  DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY is offering the Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy, an educational opportunity that trains leaders from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and industries to improve the economic competitiveness and social viability of the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt, with an emphasis on economic, public health, educational, and infrastructure challenges.  Residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Tennessee may apply. Application deadline:  7/16/2019.  Click here for more information and to apply.
• NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program: The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) provides loan repayment assistance for medical, nursing, and behavioral/mental health clinicians with specific training and credentials to provide evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in rural communities designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Deadline July 18, 2019
• CITIZENS’ INSTITUTE ON RURAL DESIGN, A PROGRAM OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS has issued a Request for Host Applicants. This is an opportunity to host a leadership initiative and/or participate in a learning cohort that connects rural communities to design resources, enabling communities to act on ideas for improvements to a community’s streets, buildings, public spaces, or landscapes to address the specific physical, environmental, social, and economic challenges facing rural areas.  Deadline to apply:  7/22/2019.  Click here to review application guidelines.
• The Kent Richard Hofmann Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to the fight against HIV and AIDS. The Kent Richard Hofmann Foundation awards grants to community-based organizations providing care and direct services, education, and/or research in the areas of HIV and AIDS. Grants support both developing and established programs, with an emphasis on direct benefit to clients or target audiences. The foundation has an interest in smaller communities and rural areas. Submit a Letter of Inquiry through the online grant portal by July 26, 2019.
• Comprehensive Corrections Training and Technical Assistance: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for training and technical assistance providers in eight areas: support to Second Chance Act grantees and practitioners to improve reentry and reduce recidivism and  support to grantees and practitioners to improve correctional substance abuse treatment programming and outcomes for inmates/detainees post-release. Deadline July 31, 2019
• USDA NIFA – Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) This program was designed to assist 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges) in building institutional research capacity through applied projects that address student educational needs and meet community, reservation or regional challenges.  Awards are to be made on the basis of a competitive review process. Collaboration with 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), a Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture (NLGCA), or at least one forestry school funded under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program  is a requirement. Eligible institutions may propose projects in any discipline of the food, agricultural or natural resource sciences. Click here to learn more. Deadline August, 9 2019
• Rural Health Fellows Program; A year-long, intensive fellowship program designed to develop a community of rural health leaders. The Rural Health Fellows Program is designed to educate, develop and inspire a networked community of rural health leaders who will step forward to serve in key positions in the National Rural Health Association, affiliated rural health advocacy groups and local and state legislative bodies. Selected participants will meet in person 3 times throughout the year to undergo intensive leadership and advocacy training. Applicants will also participate in conference calls and mentorship activities and should be dedicated to advocating on behalf of rural health. Chick here to learn more. Deadline to apply, August 27, 2019.
• Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) Project Technical Assistance: The Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) Project provides technical assistance to small hospitals in rural, persistent-poverty areas to help prepare and assist them in moving from a fee-for-service and volume based payment system to one that is dependent on value and quality. Letter of Intent (Required): Sep 15, 2019; Application: Oct 16, 2019

Information/Ideas:

• Telepsychiatry Pilot in Rural North Dakota Middle School: Southwestern District Health Unit (SWDU) and the Center for Psychiatric Health are implementing a pilot project to bring telepsychiatry services to students at Dickinson Middle School in North Dakota. While the school does have counselors that can provide some mental health services to students, this pilot is expected to dramatically increase access to psychiatric services, specifically, which would normally take students several hours of travel time to access. If successful, this pilot project will be expanded to other schools in North Dakota. Read more.
• Telemedicine for Infectious Disease Services: Faced with a growing need for and a dwindling supply of ID specialists, health systems are using virtual care platforms to access these experts when and where needed. One organization tooling up to provide tele-ID services is University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.  UPMC Enterprises has developed ID Connect, a connected care platform that now serves 15 hospitals (10 in the UPMC system and five outside) and is aimed at the 4,000 small acute care hospitals across the country who may lack the resources. Read more.
• U.S. Department of Labor Provides National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis in Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for up to up to $11,000,000, with $3,666,667 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Ohio impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose. Funding will provide eligible participants disaster-relief employment in positions addressing the impacts of the opioid crisis, such as peer recovery coaches and social service aids assisting children placed in foster care resultant of parental substance abuse. The project will also provide training and employment services to eligible participants impacted by the crisis and seeking careers in in-demand jobs related to addiction, treatment, prevention, and pain management. The state anticipates serving approximately 893 participants in Ohio.
• U.S. Department of Labor Provides Disaster Relief Employment Funding for West Virginia: The U.S. Department of Labor announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to Workforce West Virginia for up to up to $10,000,000, with $3,333,333 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in West Virginia impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose. This grant will provide eligible participants with disaster-relief employment in positions addressing the crisis, such as responders to deliver humanitarian assistance to the opioid-impacted homeless population and peer recovery coaches to help affected individuals navigate the path to recovery. The grant will also provide eligible individuals with training in healthcare professions related to addiction, treatment, prevention, and pain management. West Virginia anticipates serving approximately 534 grant participants in the following metropolitan communities across the state:  Beckley, Bluefield, Charleston, Huntington, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg, and Wheeling.
•  HRSA awards $24 million to 120 rural organizations for opioid response. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy awarded $24 million for the second round of Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) planning grants. Recipients across 40 states will receive $200,000 for one year to formalize partnerships with local stakeholders, conduct needs assessments, and develop plans to implement and sustain substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), prevention, treatment, and recovery interventions.
• ARC Announces Substance Abuse Advisory Council ARC has announced the formation of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council (SAAC) to develop recommendations for ARC to consider as part of a strategic plan to build and strengthen a recovery ecosystems in Appalachian communities. The 24 member volunteer advisory group represents each of the Region’s 13 states, and includes leaders from law enforcement, recovery services, health, economic development, private industry, education, state government and other sectors. Read the press release.
• he Northwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) is excited to offer a new training product for peer support specialists about opioid use disorder. Supporting Recovery from Opioid Use: A Peer’s Guide to Person-Centered Care is a one-hour, self-paced course designed to equip peers and other outreach workers with information, resources, and practical tips to help them better understand opioids and their impact on individuals. The course features 4 modules: Role of Peers in Recovery; Opioids and the Brain; Treatment Options; and Supporting Those Using Opioids. Learn about effective treatment options and strategies for using person-centered care to engage people with opioid use disorder in their path to recovery. Click here to learn more.

Events:

• Conversation on Maternal Health Care in Rural Communities Wed., June 12 at 8:30 am ET. Register here for virtual participation This interactive event hosted by CMS, HRSA, the National Rural Health Association, and others will provide an overview of the state of maternal healthcare in rural communities, with a focus on access to maternal health services before, during, and after pregnancy. The event will be held in Washington, DC, and virtual attendance will be available via webcast.
• On Tuesday, June 18, at 2 p.m. EDT, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will host a second webinar for potential applicants and other stakeholders interested in the Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) Demonstration Program. FTA staff will provide further information on the application process, key requirements, including data, and will answer frequently asked questions. FTA announced the $15 million IMI funding opportunity on May 8, and the application period closes on August 6. Don’t miss this chance to learn from FTA about the application process.

• Telehealth Forum:  The 2019 South Central Telehealth Forum will be held on August 19th & 20th at the Sheraton City Music Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Make sure to check back here for updates on the agenda, exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, speaker announcements, and much more!  Click here to learn more.

 Resources at your fingertips:

• Community Assessment Tool provides access to user-friendly and relevant data to help leaders build grassroots solutions for prevention, treatment and recovery: https://opioidmisusetool.norc.org
• Federal Rural Resources Guide is a listing of Federal programs that can be used to address substance use disorder and opioid misuse in rural communities. It is essentially a one-stop-shop for rural leaders looking for Federal funding and partnership opportunities: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RuralResourceGuide.pdf.
• USDA Opioid Misuse Webpage: https://www.usda.gov/topics/opioids

(June 6, 2019)  Harrisburg, PA – With nearly a majority of the General Assembly supporting Restore Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf released detailed summaries of the plan to address critical infrastructure needs across Pennsylvania.

“Restore Pennsylvania is the most aggressive infrastructure plan in generations,” said Governor Wolf. “This is a rare opportunity to make lasting improvements and tackle investiture problems from our big cities to rural communities. We can finally address blight in our communities, better protect homes and businesses from floodwaters, bring high-speed internet to rural communities and position people and businesses as leaders in the 21^st century.”

Restore Pennsylvania was introduced in the General Assembly this week with strong bipartisan support. House Bill 1585, sponsored by Rep. Jake Wheatley and Rep. Thomas Murt, has 99 cosponsors and Senate Bill 725, sponsored by Sen. John Yudichak and Sen. Tom Killion has 25 cosponsors. More than 60 stakeholders and municipal leaders are also endorsing the proposal.

To accompany the legislation, the governor released a series of white papers detailing the investments Restore Pennsylvania would make, helping local communities prevent flooding, eliminate blight, expand broadband, and address other critical infrastructure needs.

Storm Preparedness and Disaster Recovery
Restore Pennsylvania will provide funding to help towns and cities prepare for flooding and severe weather, upgrade flood walls and levees, replace high-hazard dams, and conduct stream restoration and maintenance.

Providing High-Speed Internet Access
Broadband is essential to education, quality of life, and the economy. Lack of high-speed internet puts hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians at a disadvantage. Restore Pennsylvania will provide funding to completely bridge the digital divide in every community in Pennsylvania, making Pennsylvania a better place to work, do business, and live.

Combatting Blight
There are an estimated 300,000 blighted structures in rural and urban communities throughout Pennsylvania. Restore Pennsylvania will increase resources for addressing blight by providing financial resources at the local level to establish land banks and acquire and demolish blighted buildings in order to create new development opportunities or provide new green space.

Contaminant Remediation and Brownfield Cleanup
Many communities face issues with harmful contaminants, such as lead and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Abandoned industrial and commercial sites are also still waiting for cleanup to unlock their potential as commercial, residential, or industrial sites. Restore Pennsylvania will address contaminant remediation and help brownfield clean-up throughout the commonwealth.

Green Infrastructure 
Restore Pennsylvania will provide significant new funding to enable new environmental projects and new recreational opportunities across the state, including infrastructure and maintenance in state parks, creation, and revitalization of new local parks, funding best management practices to improve local water quality, and funding for new hiking, biking, and ATV trail projects.

Transportation Capital Projects
Restore Pennsylvania will provide funding for local road and bridge upgrades, create new flexible funding options for businesses that need local infrastructure upgrades to enable development projects and multimodal and large-scale capital projects for transit.

Downstream Manufacturing
Restore Pennsylvania will provide funding for infrastructure that helps build manufacturing facilities and other downstream businesses for the natural gas produced in Pennsylvania.

Business Development, and Energy Infrastructure
Restore Pennsylvania will help businesses and individuals use more of Pennsylvania’s natural gas in their homes, creating jobs, lowering costs, and improving energy efficiency.

Restore Pennsylvania will invest $4.5 billion over the next four years in significant, high-impact projects throughout the commonwealth to help catapult Pennsylvania ahead of every state in the country in terms of technology, development, and infrastructure. The plan is funded through the monetization of a commonsense severance tax. The existing impact fee will remain in place.

The projects would be identified by local stakeholders and evaluated through a competitive process to ensure that high-priority, high-impact projects are funded and needs across Pennsylvania are met.

MEDIA CONTACT: J.J. Abbott, 717.783.1116