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SEIU members rally against Corbett budget Members of local Service Employees International Union (SEIU) branches today congregated at the Capitol to deliver letters to Gov. Tom Corbett protesting the proposed service and funding cuts in his budget. The union, which represents public services and health care workers, opposes cuts to education, nursing homes, homecare services and other related lines in the governor’s proposed budget. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, Health Care, SEIU | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The PA Homecare Association rallies at the Capitol The Pennsylvania Homecare Association today rallied at the capitol, urging lawmakers to help push for reconsideration of a number of regulations promulgated by the Department of Health they feel are barring senior access to in-home services. Vicki Hoak, CEO of the PA Homecare Association, said current state regulations prevent caregivers from assisting with self-administered medications like eye drops or pills. She said this considerably limits the relief they can provide to families of seniors who require help with such medicine. Additionally, Hoak said the recently released list of preliminary rates for Office of Long-Term Living waiver programs barely – and in some cases not at all – reimburses agencies for the care they provide. Paul Bartoletti, president of the association and CEO of CareGivers America warned the rates as they stand could drive agencies out of business. Sen. Pat Vance, Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, reported to the association that she has discussed the matter with Department of Health Deputy Secretary Mike Wolf and believes positive steps can be made in revising the new rates. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full Continue reading PA Homecare Association uses annual Lobby Day to push for regulation reform Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, DOH, Health Care, long term living, seniors | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Communications and Technology Committee heard from various health and IT stakeholders interested in the facilitation of an electronic exchange of health information. They came to testify before the committee specifically on Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Chairman Mike Folmer. The July 2011 executive order issued by Gov. Corbett established the PA eHealth Collaborative. The objective of this executive order is to advance a health information exchange (HIE) through information technology. Both the PA eHealth Initiative (PAeHI) and PA eHealth Collaborative have offered amendments to Senate Bill 8. Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Rebecca | Tags: health, Health Care, Hospitals, information technology | Category: Senate Communications and Technology | Comments are closed | Share:
The Coalition to Protect Women’s Health held a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda this morning to praise the decision of President Obama to ensure that all women have access to affordable birth control, regardless of the religious affiliation of their employer. In January, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that women would have access to the birth control coverage benefit, without costly co-pays, no matter where they work. This means that nurses, secretaries, janitors at religiously affiliated hospitals and universities would have access to this benefit. Sari Stevens of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates explained the importance of birth control in ensuring she did not start a family until she was ready and able to ensure her children could be raised in a healthy environment. A recent college graduate discussed the value of access to affordable birth control to ensure that she was able to pursue her education. She remarked on the personal choice in choosing to use birth control and stated that, for her, it was a responsible decision to delay pregnancy and pursue education. Another speaker, a Catholic, explained that Catholic women use birth control at the same rate as non-Catholic women. She emphasized Continue reading Coalition to Protect Women’s Health Hails President’s Efforts to Ensure Access to Affordable Birth Control Posted by Kim | Tags: birth control, Health Care, insurance | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Rep. Frankel leads opposition to SB 732 Democratic legislators and representatives from various women’s health advocacy groups held a press conference in the Capitol Media Center today to urge opposition to an afternoon vote on SB 732, which would impose new restrictions on clinics that offer abortions. Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) criticized House Republicans for ignoring issues related to job creation and the economy, choosing instead to focus on bills he said limit health care access to women. He contended SB 732 does not have support from any in the medical community. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: abortion, Health Care | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Health Committee this morning approved three pieces of legislation which now move to the House Floor for consideration. SB 349, which provides for the licensure of tanning salons, was amended and reported out of committee, despite concern by some members over funding levels and non-mandatory inspections. HB 1960, which would extend the ability for medically or technologically dependent children to access services by a pediatric extended care facility up to the age of 21, was reported unanimously. HB 1977, which prohibits health plans offered through a health insurance exchange from including abortion coverage, expect in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother’s life is in danger, was approved with Rep. Ken Smith (D-Lackawanna) joining Republicans in supporting the measure. Chairman Matt Baker (R-Tioga) pointed out to members that the bill makes use of an opt-out provision for abortion coverage provided in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and allows insurers to offer abortion coverage as a separate product. Check the Capitol Toolbox later in the day for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: abortion, Health Care, tanning | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Health | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee conducted a public hearing on the potential impact of the continuing Highmark/UPMC impasse on the health care delivery system in western Pennsylvania. The lawmakers heard testimony from Secretary of Health Dr. Eli Avila, Kevin Shivers from NFIP, and Paula Bussard from the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Health Care, Highmark/UPMC impasse | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Public Health and Welfare | Comments are closed | Share:
Legislators urge UPMC-Highmark settlement A bipartisan group of House and Senate members from the Allegheny region of the state today urged UPMC and Highmark to resolve an ongoing contractual dispute they fear could leave millions of western Pennsylvanians with increasingly limited access to health care. Both the House and Senate Insurance Committees are holding hearings on the issue, to determine what options are available to minimize the impact of the ongoing contract impasse. Lawmakers have drawn up several measures intended to safeguard residents if the two groups cannot come to an agreement. Rep. Tony DeLuca (D-Allegheny), Minority Chairman of the House Insurance Committee, announced the introduction of HB 32, which would empower the Insurance Commissioner to step into contract disputes and require the continuation of a contract if it is in the best interest of residents. Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) has introduced HB 1910, which would ensure specialty hospitals such as the Magee-Womens Hospital remain available to patients who need them due to the dispute. “We need everyone to come back to the table and remember the reason they got involved in health care at the start,” Rep. DeLuca said. “To help people, and to do no harm.” Continue reading Allegheny lawmakers urge resolution to UPMC-Highmark dispute; warn of intervention Posted by Mike | Tags: Health Care, Highmark, insurance, UPMC | Category: Uncategorized | Comments are closed | Share:
At a hearing of the US House Subcommittee on Health held in the state Capitol this morning, it was made clear by Gov. Corbett, members of his administration, state lawmakers and private stakeholders that there remain serious concerns about the federal healthcare reform measure known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) a year after its passage. Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA) explained that in calling the hearing in Harrisburg he was interested in learning more about how federal healthcare reform is burdening business and employers, “precisely at a time when we need them to be hiring new employees and creating jobs.” He criticized the act’s Medicaid expansion, which he said could potentially add $2 billion in additional costs to the Commonwealth from 2014-19. Along with Gov. Corbett, who provided opening remarks at the hearing, acting state DPW Secretary Gary Alexander and acting Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine testified on behalf of the Administration, emphasizing the burdensome nature they feel PPACA is having on Pennsylvania. Gov. Corbett reiterated he hopes the law is quickly addressed by the Supreme Court, and a decision rendered on its ultimate constitutionality. Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga), PA Chamber VP Gene Continue reading Consensus opposition to federal healthcare reform at Congressional hearing Posted by Mike | Tags: Health Care, insurance, Medicaid, NFIB, PA Chamber, PPACA | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee unanimously approved the nomination of Michael Consedine as Insurance Commissioner this morning, moving the process forward for a full vote by the Senate. During his confirmation hearing Consedine spoke to the multitude of challenges facing the Pennsylvania insurance market, including healthcare reform, the Mcare Fund, the Blues’ surplus accounts, and adultBasic among others. PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: adultBasic, blues, Health Care, insurance, Mcare Fund | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Banking & Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
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