Berks County News

Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) announced the approval of a grant amounting to $213,177 for the Wyoming County Healthcare Center. This federal grant is funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), 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 lacked many essential healthcare services due to the closure of Tyler Memorial Hospital. This grant aims to ensure that the local community does not have to go without critical services.

The grant will create six jobs and benefit nine organizations, 90 students, 40 workers/trainees, and 2,400 patients through 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 total project funding to $426,354.

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

- Introduced H.R. 2433: Fairness for Rural Teaching Hospitals Act of 2023

- Co-led H.R. 8383: Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act

- Cosponsored H.R. 7050: Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act

- Cosponsored H.R. 5256: Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act of 2023

- Cosponsored H.R. 2389: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023

- Cosponsored H.R. 7002: Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2024

- Cosponsored H.R. 6430: ARCH Act

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