Congressman Meuser Announces $200k Grant for Wyoming County Healthcare Center

Washington, DC— Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) announced the approval of a grant in the amount of $213,177 for the Wyoming County Healthcare Center. This federal grant is funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian region. ARC's mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.

With this grant, Wyoming County Healthcare Center will purchase medical equipment to benefit patients, residents, and organizations who utilize the center for healthcare access, broadband, and education. Prior to the establishment of the healthcare center, Wyoming County was without many essential healthcare services due to the closure of the Tyler Memorial Hospital. This grant helps lay a foundation to ensure that the local community does not have to go without critical services.

The grant will create six jobs and nine organizations, 90 students, 40 workers/trainees, and 2,400 patients will benefit from increased healthcare access and training in the region.

"I am happy to announce this significant investment in our community's healthcare infrastructure," said Congressman Dan Meuser. “My office was pleased to work directly on behalf of the Wyoming County Healthcare Center to secure this grant, which will create jobs and improve healthcare access for thousands of residents in rural areas. By equipping our healthcare centers with the necessary tools and resources, we are ensuring that every patient receives the high-quality care they deserve. This funding exemplifies our commitment to strengthening rural healthcare, and I will continue working in Congress to improve access to care and address the workforce shortages the industry faces in rural Pennsylvania.” 

In addition to ARC funds, local sources will provide an additional $213,177, bringing the total project funding to $426,354.

Congressman Meuser is a member of the Rural Health Caucus and has taken the below legislative actions to improve rural access to healthcare and address workforce shortages in the industry:

• Introduced H.R. 2433, the Fairness for Rural Teaching Hospitals Act of 2023, which would update calculations used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure that rural teaching hospitals receive a fairer reimbursement.

• Co-led H.R. 8383, the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, which would provide targeted federal grants that will equip rural healthcare facilities with the capacity to handle obstetric emergencies with advanced technologies and training.

• Cosponsored H.R. 7050, the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act, which would increase the number of residency slots for hospitals that host addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain management programs.

• Cosponsored H.R. 5256, the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act of 2023, which would provide Medicare payment for anesthesia services furnished by an anesthesiologist in a rural hospital.

• Cosponsored H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Actof 2023, which would increase the amount of physician residency slots, including in rural hospitals.

• Cosponsored H.R. 7002, the Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2024, which would establish a pilot program to support nurse educators.

• Cosponsored H.R. 6430, the ARCH Act, which would extend the Medicare-dependent hospital program.

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