Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a $36.1 billion state spending plan on February 4, 2020 that will rely on continued strong economic growth. He proposes no increases in the state’s sales or personal income tax rates. The Wolf administration says the budget plan raises state spending by about four percent. The proposed budget adds an additional $450,000 for the Primary Health Care Practitioner Program to bring the program total to $5 million as was requested by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians and the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center program.
From the Governor’s Budget Book:
“Investing in our Public Health Workforce, the Primary Health Care Practitioner Program encourages primary care practitioners to practice in Health Professional Shortage Areas throughout Pennsylvania, helping to ensure health care access in underserved communities. An additional $450,000 for the Primary Health Care Practitioner Program will facilitate expanded access to quality, affordable primary health care in areas of need by increasing the volume of health care providers as well as helping to provide them with adequate resources to treat vulnerable populations. This additional investment will help to reduce the clinician shortage in Pennsylvania through a more robust support network that will entice more health care professionals to work in the commonwealth.”
Additional information on the proposed budget can be found here.