HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Thursday detailed a series of major investments and policy actions aimed at strengthening emergency medical services, expanding access to period products in schools, and reaffirming support for newborn hepatitis B vaccination amid national confusion over federal guidance.
$6 Million Boost Will Strengthen EMS Training, Staffing, and Equipment
Health officials said emergency care across the Commonwealth will improve thanks to a new $6 million allocation in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget for the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund. The money will be distributed to local EMS agencies through Pennsylvania’s 13 regional EMS councils.
“Our EMS professionals are a lifeline to Pennsylvanians in their most critical health moments,” Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said. She noted that millions of emergency calls are fielded each year, requiring constant readiness and up-to-date training.
Funding will support recruitment efforts, training and certification programs, and new medical equipment for ambulances. The announcement builds on earlier steps by the administration, including higher ambulance mileage reimbursement rates under Act 15 of 2023 and a three-year tuition assistance program offering up to $5,000 for EMS personnel in training.
Another $3 Million Ensures Free Period Products in All Pennsylvania Schools
The Shapiro Administration is also investing an additional $3 million to provide free period products to students across Pennsylvania’s public schools, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools. Combined with last year’s historic investment, the Commonwealth has now committed $6 million to ensure students have access to basic hygiene supplies.
“Students should be able to remain focused on their education without having to worry about access to basic hygiene products,” Bogen said. First Lady Lori Shapiro added that providing pads and tampons in schools “gives girls peace of mind and ensures they can focus on learning.”
Funding is proportional to enrollment at a standardized rate of $1.75 per student. No application is required, and schools may use the funds for purchases made between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
State Officials Reaffirm Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth Amid National Confusion
Health leaders also issued an unequivocal message in support of newborn hepatitis B vaccination, responding to uncertainty triggered by recent deliberations of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
“The scientific evidence is clear that vaccination of newborns against hepatitis B is important,” Bogen said, noting that infants who contract the virus have a 90 percent chance of developing lifelong liver disease. “When vaccines are recommended and accessible, disease declines; when access falters, preventable infections return.”
State officials emphasized Pennsylvania’s strong track record: no child under age four has contracted hepatitis B in the Commonwealth since 2019.
Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh warned that creating doubt about the vaccine risks reversing decades of progress. Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys assured families that insurers will continue covering newborn hepatitis B vaccination “full stop.”
The stance aligns with Governor Shapiro’s October Executive Order 2025-02, which directs state agencies to follow expert-driven vaccine guidance, maintain insurance coverage for recommended immunizations, expand educational efforts, and combat misinformation. The order also launched www.pa.gov/vaccines as a central resource.
Unified Health Strategy Anchors Multiple New Investments
Taken together, the week’s announcements highlight a broad public health strategy focused on strengthening emergency response, removing barriers to basic health necessities in schools, and ensuring families have clear, evidence-based vaccine information.
State officials said these investments and policies are key to supporting public health infrastructure and protecting vulnerable populations across Pennsylvania.
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