Sarah Boden for Spotlight PA
Sarah Boden is an independent health journalist in Pittsburgh, PA.
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But the money will run out by the end of 2026 and funders want state lawmakers to provide a more permanent solution to the low wages and limited availability common to the child care industry. -
Some new Pennsylvania parents pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for pregnancy and childbirth care. When they can’t afford these costs, the resulting debt affects their finances and health. -
Hunger affects students’ grades and health, but thousands of Pennsylvania kids fall just outside the income threshold for even reduced lunch. Advocates say free lunch for all is the solution. -
Businesses and advocates for families say the Democrat’s $55 million proposal would make child care in Pennsylvania more available and keep parents in the workforce. -
The rules prevent a health system from pushing dismissed doctors out of town and keeping patients in the dark, but critics say it's still too narrow. -
When someone with dementia loses their ability to have empathy, caring for them can become isolating and fraught, research shows. -
Employers in Pennsylvania offer bereavement leave at their own discretion, so workers who experience a death in the family aren’t always guaranteed time off. -
Legislative memos addressing paid leave, pre-K access, and child care costs preview how Pennsylvania lawmakers plan to approach caregiving issues in 2025. -
Hospital volunteers and workers observe holiday traditions to help boost the spirits of Pennsylvania kids undergoing exhausting treatments in unfamiliar environments. -
The federal government argues a more robust maternal health workforce is key to improving mortality before, during, and after childbirth.