Patriot-News: PA Budget Battle: high stakes year demands true compromises
Today the Patriot-News editorialized that although they don’t agree with all the cuts, they applaud the Senate Republicans for releasing a detailed budget plan at the beginning of May, because now both sides can begin compromising on a budget plan that will work for Pennsylvanians.
Senate Public Health & Welfare Cmte. passes healthcare-related bills
Three of the five passed bills are part of the Senate Republicans’ HealthNET PA plan.
PA Senate Republicans using Altoona free clinic as model for their healthcare plan
Their proposed HealthNET PA would establish a network of clinics to serve adults who don’t qualify for Medicaid, but still don’t make enough money to buy private insurance.
Rendell says reduced stimulus $ in Senate version will hurt PA
Gov. Rendell said yesterday that the reduced money for Pennylvania in the Senate passed stimulus package would result in more state job losses and more spending cuts than in his inital budget proposal.
Clock runs out for health care reform this year…
With legislative action this week on PA’s dog law and energy legislation, there’s unfortunately not much for anybody to cheer about on the health care front.
Legislative Wrap-up 9/22 –> 10/3
Rendell scales back his health care plan and eliminates tobacco taxes as the source of funding, in an effort to create a compromise before session time runs out. Meanwhile, two Republican-backed initiatives to expand health insurance in PA unanimously passed the Senate last week and head to a House Committee for consideration. Time is also running out to reauthorize PHC4, as only 3 voting days remain for the Senate in this year’s session…
Death Rates down in PA hospitals
Pennsylvania’s hospitals saw declining death rates for 25 different procedures and conditions over the past four years.
Gov. wants more session days to reach compromise on healthcare & energy
Gov. Rendell said yesterday that both parties are coming closer to a compromise on healthcare policy, which will result in insurance for hundreds and thousands of currently uncovered Pennsylvanians. More session days are needed to come to a final deal, he says.
Standard-Speaker: Choose public good over politics and reauthorize PHC4
Today, the Standard Speaker editorialized that the Legislature’s political tug-of-war over the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) needs to end promptly in reauthorization this fall — in the name of public good and patient safety.
House Majority Policy Committee hears testimony on plan to cover uninsured
Yesterday, the House Majority Policy Committee was in Dubois for the first in a series of hearings on how to best cover Pennsylvania’s uninsured residents, reports the Bradford Era.