MARCH 28, 2012 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

Change We Can’t Afford

This week, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act celebrated its two-year anniversary before the U.S. Supreme Court. The controversial health care law finds itself in front of the highest court in the land after Pennsylvania and 25 other states joined together to challenge its constitutionality.

MAY 20, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Pennsylvania Welfare Spending & Medicaid

Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed FY 2011-12 budget would represent the first time General Fund spending on the Department of Public Welfare would exceed that for the Department of Education.

JANUARY 17, 2011 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

A Blueprint for Transforming the Commonwealth

Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition.  To provide a roadmap for success in this critical endeavor, the Commonwealth Foundation has compiled a list of 80 policy recommendations for Gov. Corbett and state legi

JANUARY 11, 2011 | Policy Report by STEPHEN A. MOSES

Long-Term Care Reform

More Access to Better Care at Lower Costs

Long-term care is very expensive whether provided in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or in someone's home. Medicaid pays for most professional long-term care (LTC) in Pennsylvania.  LTC currently costs Pennsylvania taxpayers $6.6 billion per year, making up 40% of all Medicaid spending (much higher than the national average)

OCTOBER 27, 2010 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Health Care Reform: An Update

Before enacting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Congress had to pass the bill before we'd find out what's in it. Sadly, it's worse than even we thought.  This Policy Points presents many of the effects of the new law that have already come to pass.

MARCH 30, 2010 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Who the Health Cares About the Constitution?

Constitutional questions have dogged the health care bill since its introduction.  But rather than address these issues head on, supporters of the legislation have shrugged them off.  Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when asked where the Constitution grants the power to impose an individual mandate to buy insurance, famously replied, "Are you

JANUARY 21, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

CF Challenges Gov. Rendell to Explain What's In the Bill

Yesterday, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell told Fox News that voters oppose the current health care reform proposal because "the administration and its supporters, myself included, haven't done a good enough job explaining to people what's in this bill." The Commonwealth Foundation formally welcomes Gov. Rendell to join their efforts to educate the

DECEMBER 16, 2009 | Commentary by KATRINA CURRIE

Five Threats to Pennsylvania's Prosperity

Pennsylvania has long been one of the most economically stagnant states in the nation. For the period 1991-2008, the Commonwealth ranked 45th in job growth, 46th in personal income growth, and 47th in population growth. Pennsylvania has also faired poorly in independent evaluations of states' business climates, i

NOVEMBER 12, 2009 | Commentary by T. PATRICK BURKE

Notes on Health Care Reform

Two slightly important questions are being neglected regarding the Health Care Reform bills in Congress: their constitutionality and their morality. Are the bill just passed in the House and that to be discussed in the Senate in accord with the Constitution, and are they in agreement with the fundamental principles of justice? I would like to

OCTOBER 20, 2009 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Guide to National Health Care Reform Proposals

President Obama has pushed national health care reform, making it a priority. While there is no official "Obama plan," and several different proposal in Congress, the leading proposals have several common themes. Unfortunately, instead of learning from the mistakes of state-based health care reform, these proposals repeat them.