Keystone Today

Pennsylvania Sen. Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) is raising support for Senate Bill 292, a program that encourages health care professionals to join the National Guard.

The bill passed 49-0 in the Pennsylvania State Senate last week.

“As the Pennsylvania National Guard continues to support the state’s COVID-19 response, the Senate voted last week to expand a successful program that encourages more health care professionals to join,” Corman tweeted on Jan. 31.

The bill allows for a medical officer or health officer who enrolls in the National Guard to participate in a stipend program. Those eligible to receive a stipend will receive $750 monthly for no more than 48 months as a medical resident or the first 36 months in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

To qualify, the recipient must agree to be a medical officer or health care officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard after the completion of residency or their initial service obligation or each month a stipend is received.

The Pennsylvania National Guard is already giving back to the health care industry. The Guard has activated more than 60 of its members to assist at long-term care facilities in the state. A total of 64 soldiers and airmen from units across Pennsylvania are on orders for a mission scheduled to end in mid-March.

According to the Pennsylvania National Guard's website, the service members are general-purpose personnel who will assist the facilities with non-medical tasks, such as food service and housekeeping. "The mission is being coordinated in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)," the website said.

“I am truly grateful for the continued service and sacrifice of all our soldiers and airmen,” Pennsylvania Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler said, according to the website. “I am equally thankful to their families and employers, who support them when they are called to serve. These missions are successful because of our partnership with the Department of Health and PEMA and our collaborative efforts demonstrate how government works together in serving and supporting our communities, especially residents and the staff in long-term care facilities.”