From staff reports
Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Scott Hutchinson to increase the number of health care providers in the Pennsylvania National Guard was approved Wednesday by the Senate.
The legislation, Senate bill 927, now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
According to a news release from Hutchinson’s office, the legislation improves the Medical Officer or Health Officer Incentive Program, which was created in 2014 through legislation (Act 78) Hutchinson authored to provide an education stipend to those who qualified through time in the armed services.
“Even though the program was successful in attracting providers into Guard service, some health professionals, such as dentists and physician assistants, were inadvertently left out of the program.”
“The Medical and Health Officer Incentive program significantly increased our ability to recruit and retain military medical professionals in the Pennsylvania National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
“Since the program was established in 2014, over 100 health care providers have joined the Guard with 80% participating in the program. This incentive program is critical to support the medical readiness of our Guard members and their ability to provide medical support to our communities.”
Hutchinson said Act 78 was a “resounding success,” as it brought numerous health professionals into the National Guard, and the new legislation “will strengthen the program and allow for even more health professionals to take advantage of this opportunity.”
