Mayor Cherelle L. Parker Signs Public Health-Related Bills

Intergovernmental Collaboration between Parker Administration, City Council & state legislators bring public health enhancements to Philadelphia's local hospitals & vulnerable citizens

PHILADELPHIA - Today, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker signed two bills that will enhance public health and quality of life in Philadelphia's most vulnerable neighborhoods during a ceremony at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. The bills included a hospital assessment bill, and a bill that will allow the City's Department of Public Health to open a Health Center on the Friends Hospital campus in the Northeast section of Philadelphia.

The Hospital Assessment Bill benefits some of Philadelphia's local hospitals (particularly children's and cancer hospitals), the Health Department and most importantly, the city's most vulnerable citizens.

"The bills I am signing today allows for the expansion of the program to include additional hospitals - specifically, children's hospitals and cancer hospitals, while also paving the way for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to build its new City Health Center on the campus that will offer comprehensive primary care for both adults and children," said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. "When we're talking about safety in our city, ensuring that residents have access to their health providers, medical treatment, and life-saving medicine, this is all part of that formula."

Mayor Parker signed the new bills into law alongside Philadelphia Interim Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Frank Franklin, Philadelphia City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District), Rob Brooks, CEO of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and John Fry, President of Drexel University.

"The Hospital Assessment Bill represents an outstanding example of how a collaborative partnership between the State, the City and Hospital Providers can improve health outcomes and the safety and well-being of Philadelphians," said Dr. Frank Franklin, Interim Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

Here are the two bills, and what they call for, signed by Mayor Parker:

Philadelphia Hospital Assessment

The Philadelphia Hospital Assessment (Bill No. 240467) will renew an existing assessment that has been in place since 2009 which expands the program to include additional hospitals - specifically, children's hospitals and cancer hospitals. It allows the city and state to generate federal Medicaid matching funds for a program that brings federal money to Philadelphia that mirrors enabling state legislation that is expected to pass in Harrisburg. The bill authorizes the Department of Public Health to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Commonwealth, Department of Human Services, relating to such hospital assessments.

"I am very excited that Mayor Parker and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children share a mission and vision to ensure the health and well-being of all children and families in our communities," said Robert Brooks, President and Interim CEO of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. "As well as a mutual understanding of how critical equal access to healthcare is to a city looking to grow and thrive."

"We are thrilled to watch how this incredible investment helps to grow the legacy and impact of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, where we care to the core," said P. Sue Perrotty, CEO of Tower Health. "Partnerships are powerful, and this is a perfect example of how we can accomplish so much good for our healthcare systems and the communities we serve when we all work together."

Health Center at Friends Hospital

The Friends Hospital bill (Bill No. 240426) changes the zoning designation. However, the benefits to the community from this bill should not be minimized. This bill paves the way for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to build its new City Health Center on the campus of Friends Hospital, offering comprehensive primary care for both adults and children.

Currently the City has ten public health centers and only one center is located in the city's Northeast section. Because it is the only Northeast location, Health Center 10 has more than four times the average wait time for initial visits for children at the city's other health centers and nearly twice for adults.

This bill comes after the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Councilmember Quetcy Lozada concluded a three-part listening series earlier this year in neighborhoods with residents who will be impacted by the opening of a new city-operated health center.

"This health center will provide affordable, high-quality care to a diverse population, regardless of their socioeconomic status," said City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District). "A new public health center is going to be a game changer for these communities; improving overall health and decreasing wait times at other health centers across the city."

These sites will offer comprehensive primary care, including:

• Adult and pediatric care
• Women's health
• Prenatal Care
• Dental
• Laboratory
• Pharmacy
• Behavioral Health Counselors
• Health Navigators
• Insurance Counselors
• Specialty referrals

Patients costs are minimal: a sliding fee scale of $5-$20 for medical visits; no charge for other services.

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