Posted: | March 24, 2021 02:16 PM |
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From: | Representative Donna Bullock and Rep. Paul Schemel |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | School-Based Health Centers |
Over 2,500 school-based health centers (SBHC) operate in schools across the country. Of those clinics, which provide mental, preventive care, dietary and other vital health services directly to students on campus, only 20 are based in Pennsylvania as of 2018. SBHCs offer an option for improving health care access for underserved populations and regions in our state, which is why we are introducing legislation to standardize these entities. Throughout our country, states are recognizing the importance of SBHCs. According to the School-Based Health Alliance, at least 17 states require state funded school-based health centers to meet state operating standards. Based on such action, our legislation defines and develops standards for SBHCs. Doing this will ensure stakeholder interests are met and will promote integrating SBHCs into state and local health and education systems. We ask that you support this legislation and help to improve health care access in Pennsylvania. |