Healthcare

Hospitals, clinics, and the care systems serving the state.

Cardiac Rehab Completion Rates Lag as Patients Cite Cost and Distance

Fewer than half of eligible heart attack patients in several counties complete recommended cardiac rehabilitation, with copays and travel time cited as the top barriers.

Hospital and Nursing School Partner on Tuition-Free Pipeline Program

In exchange for a multi-year work commitment, the hospital covers full nursing school tuition for students who commit to joining its staff after graduation.

Rural Counties Face Growing Primary Care Physician Shortage as Doctors Retire

Several rural counties have gone months without replacing retiring primary care doctors, leaving patients on long waitlists or driving to distant clinics.

Home Health Aide Shortage Leaves Seniors Waiting Weeks for Care

Agencies serving homebound seniors say they are turning away new clients as low wages push aides toward retail and warehouse jobs instead.

Proposed Hospital System Merger Faces State Antitrust Scrutiny

Regulators are reviewing whether a proposed merger of two regional hospital systems would reduce competition enough to raise prices for patients.

Most Pennsylvania Hospitals Still Falling Short on Price Transparency Rules

A review found many hospitals in the state are only partially complying with federal requirements to post standard charges online in a usable format.

Emergency Room Wait Times Climb as Hospitals Struggle With Patient Boarding

A lack of available inpatient beds is forcing emergency departments to hold admitted patients for hours or days, backing up care for new arrivals.

Community Health Center Expands to Meet Rising Demand From Uninsured Patients

A federally qualified health center in Reading is adding a second location after wait times for new patient appointments stretched past six weeks.

Nurse Staffing Ratio Bill Returns to Harrisburg Amid Hospital Industry Pushback

Nursing unions are renewing a years-long push for mandated minimum staffing ratios, while hospital associations warn of unintended consequences for smaller facilities.