34 days until budget deadline, and political wars waging
Here’s a big surprise: with just 34 days left until the June 30 budget deadline the GOP Senate and the Governor and House Democrats are still $1.7 billion apart on their budget plans, and continued publicly sniping at each other yesterday.
Rendell says PA may avoid tax increases in this year’s budget
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Rendell says that although the state may be able to avoid broad-based tax increases this year, there may need to be an increase in the future if revenue numbers continue to drop.
Hospitals round-up for 5/27
Get the news on Aria Health’s proposed new hospital, Somerset Hospital’s new Joint Replacement Center, and the rising difficulty hospitals are facing in paying for care for the uninsured.
Rally today in Harrisburg calls attention to need for long-term child care
Currently, there are very little options for parents of children who need long-term, hospice-type care.
State labor panel reverses smoking ban at certain facilities
The state Labor Relations Board says that the government and other public sectors can’t ban outdoor smoking on their properties without their unions’ consent.
State income tax increase hinted by Rep. Dwight Evans’ spokeswoman
On Tuesday, with the predicted state budget deficit at $3.2 billion a spokeswoman for a leading House Democrat mentioned increasing Pennsylvania’s income tax as a way to help fill the deficit, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Patriot-News: Reforms to home care nurse system should be made by Legislature
The newspaper says that the decision on whether or not PA implements a Consumer Workforce Council is one that should be debated and voted upon by the state Legislature.
Hospitals round-up for 5/26
Get the news on Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northeastern Hospital, Hershey Medical Center, and Philly-area medical providers.
New York Times essay: Referral system turns patients into commodities
Says the healthcare system needs a different approach to sending patients to a specialist.
Healthcare execs say PA Senate’s budget is a setback in care for the disabled and mentally ill
Much of the budget’s problems, they say, come from its cuts to Medical Assistance programs.