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December 16, 2009, 8:59 pm
Senate Banking & Insurance Committee
8:30 a.m., 12/16/09, Room 8E-B, East Wing
By Mike Howells
The committee met to receive testimony on health care reform, and in particular single-payer coverage.
Members in attendance included Chairman Don White (R-Indiana), Minority Chairman Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia), and Senators Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia), Jake Corman (R-Centre), Jane Earll (R-Erie), and John Rafferty (R-Montgomery).
Discussion centered around SB 400, single-payer legislation introduced by Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny).
Continue reading Freemium Content — Senate Banking & Industry hearing on single-payer health care
July 15, 2009, 11:34 am
Led today by Stephen Herzenberg, the Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center, a coalition of concerned citizens held their third rally in as many days in the Main Rotunda of the Capitol Building. Today’s press conference was held to urge legislators to vote down Senate Bill 850 and to support broad based revenue increases in order to fund critical state services. Speakers today touted the successes and importance of various state programs and services threatened by SB 850. Specifically focused on today were issues of workforce development, higher education, health care and housing services. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more information.
July 13, 2009, 11:56 am
Organized by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC), a group of concerned organizations held a press conference today to urge legislators to restore the deep cuts made to “essential” state programs under Senate Bill 850. As part of a week long series of rallies, Sharon Ward, director of the PBPC said that the groups present today will be back everyday to remind legislators to make better choices for Pennsylvania schools, hospitals and nursing homes, the unemployed, homeless and uninsured. Ward also charged that budget cuts to health care and education will not save money, but will cost the state even more further down the road. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
July 6, 2009, 12:36 pm
Representative Josh Shapiro (D-Philadelphia) held his third health care round-table discussion today with labor leaders. Meeting to discuss the implications of a public health care plan, labor leaders expressed their opinions and concerns with President Obama’s proposed public health care plan. Rick Bloomingdale, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer expressed his support for a public option, as long as it did not come with a tax increase. Mike Welsh, the IBEW International Representative, explained that the IBEW is in the process of creating a national policy, and that the union is “all for a public option.” Eileen Connally, the executive director of SEIU, spoke at length about the need to protect the “under-insured” population. “We need to take care of folks who are most vulnerable,” Connally said. She also expressed her opinion that “quality” of care means increased access. George Hughes, the PSEA Assistant Executive Director of Field Services, spoke about his work on creating formal education programs so that members can understand the positive impact of a public health care plan. He also explained that a public plan is important, because it will make the health care system more transparent and open to the public. Finally, John Mayerson, the UFCW
Continue reading Rep. Shapiro Health Care Round-table with Labor Leaders
June 9, 2009, 11:04 am
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met to consider HB 985 and SB 936, as well as to hold a public hearing on SB 616. HB 985 was reported as amended by a unanimous vote. SB 936 was reported as committed by a unanimous vote. Both sides of the pharmaceutical industry testified regarding SB 616. Advocates of the bill noted concerns over transparency and pharmaceutical error in the current industry. Those opposing the bill stated that it would force consumers to no longer choose mail order pharmacies. Check the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon for the full story.
June 2, 2009, 2:21 pm
The Pennsylvania Health Access Network, a coalition of organizations supportive of Health Care reform gathered today in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building to rally around several new health care related bills. The bills, Senate Bill 1 and SB 5, as well as House Bill 1 and HB 746 are designed at improving access, affordability, and the quality of health care offered throughout the Commonwealth. Senator Ted Erikson (R-Delaware) and Representative Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) were in attendance and spoke towards the importance of reforming health care in Pennsylvania to benefit all residents. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
March 12, 2009, 11:43 am
The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held a public hearing this morning to discuss age-related budgets. Before the committee today were representatives of the Office of Long-Term Living, The PACE program, the Department of Aging, the Department of Public Welfare, Quality Assurance, the Department of Revenue and the Pennsylvania lottery. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
February 24, 2009, 3:17 pm
On a party line vote, the committee reported as amended, HB 174, Rep. Carroll’s bill amending Title 3 codifying the Public Eating & Drinking Place Law and the Food Act and providing for the protection of public health and regulations. The committee also unanimously reported as committed, HB 511, Rep. Cutler’s bill authorizing the Department of Agriculture to identify agricultural bio-security areas. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
February 4, 2009, 5:19 pm
House Minority Leader Samuel Smith and House Appropriations Chairman Mario Civera delivered a brief statement and answered questions from the media following the Governor’s address. Minority Leader Smith and Chairman Civera responded to questions concerning video poker, school district consolidation, increased sales taxes, health care and program cuts. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
February 4, 2009, 5:04 pm
The Departments of Public Welfare, Insurance and Aging joined with the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform this afternoon to review their respective parts of the Governor’s proposed budget, dubbed the Caring for All Pennsylvanians Budget Briefing. They collectively acknowledged the difficulties of the economy and stressed they have sought to preserve services while making cost reductions where possible. Secretary Richman highlighted that the budget situation is not as dire as it could be due to the expected federal economic stimulus, but she stressed this will not be enough to avoid all painful cuts. Two proposals of DPW are to implement a statewide MCO assessment and the Smart Pharmacy Initiative. Acting Secretary Hall discussed the proposal to create the Department of Aging and Long-Term Living to create a more uniform system. Commissioner Ario provided an overview of a recent study which found the number of uninsured adults in PA is increasing, which segued into Director Torregrossa’s overview of the proposed plan to double adultBasic enrollment.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this evening.
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