Many Pennsylvanians face chronic unemployment, welfare dependency, and the cycle of poverty. This happens because labor incentives have been overridden by bad policies that keep millions out of the workforce and enact excessive red tape. We can reverse this trend by ending the practice of waiving work requirements on able-bodied Pennsylvanians with no dependents, removing barriers to employment for those seeking a fresh start, and creating a healthcare system without burdensome regulations.

Health Care

Unlike Medicaid, Charity Clinics Lead to Independence

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 29, 2015

This week marks the beginning of Pennsylvania’s transition from Healthy PA to full Medicaid expansion. Over 100,000 beneficiaries were transferred to the traditional one-size-fits-all healthcare plan known for limited…

Media

Read More: Unlike Medicaid, Charity Clinics Lead to Independence

Health Care

Judge Halts Stealth Unionization Scheme

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 23, 2015

A Commonwealth Court judge has issued a preliminary injunction to stop full enforcement of Gov. Tom Wolf's executive order to stealthily unionize home healthcare workers. For folks like…

Media

Read More: Judge Halts Stealth Unionization Scheme

Health Care

Five Years After Obamacare Charity Care Demand Soars

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 23, 2015

Five years later, the promises of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ring hollow for too many Pennsylvanians. The law’s numerous mandates and regulations continue to drive up the cost of…

Media

Read More: Five Years After Obamacare Charity Care Demand Soars

Health Care

Beyond Medicaid Expansion: Helping the Poor

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 10, 2015

Yesterday’s announcement that Healthy PA will be rolled back in favor of full-scale Medicaid expansion misses the point. Instead of unraveling the few positive reforms incoporated in the original Medicaid waiver,…

Media

Read More: Beyond Medicaid Expansion: Helping the Poor

Criminal Justice Reform

Pennsylvania State Budget Toolkit

  • February 6, 2015

The enacted $29 billion General Fund budget (a 1.88 percent increase over 2013-2014) and $71.4 billion total operating budget represent Pennsylvania’s highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget Toolkit

Health Care

Breaking Out of the Fortress & Into the Frontier

  • James Paul
  • January 30, 2015

What is the ultimate goal of health care reform? Is it to provide all Americans with insurance cards? Or is it to enhance access to quality care at more affordable…

Media

Read More: Breaking Out of the Fortress & Into the Frontier

Criminal Justice Reform

Corrections Reform Proves a Win-Win

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 23, 2015

Unprecedented reductions in the prison population, $69.9 million in taxpayer savings, and lower recidivism rates all indicate that the 2012 corrections reforms are working. Earlier this month Don Gilliland over…

Media

Read More: Corrections Reform Proves a Win-Win

Health Care

Obamacare Failing Big Time

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 9, 2015

According to John Micek’s reading of a recent Gallup poll on health insurance, Obamacare is “working after all.” In reality, though, Gallup’s findings indicate that the health care overhaul…

Media

Read More: Obamacare Failing Big Time

Taxes & Economy

The Gift of Work

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 25, 2014

Red kettles, canned food drives, Toys for Tots—the holidays are a time when private charity shines. But have you ever wondered about the best way to help the poor? Ron…

Media

Read More: The Gift of Work

Health Care

New Wave of Obamacare Price Hikes Arrives

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 17, 2014

Regina Weinhardt handles benefits for her family’s plumbing business in Delaware County. In business since 1962, providing health care to their employees has always been a priority, “My father started…

Media

Read More: New Wave of Obamacare Price Hikes Arrives

Health Care

Bracing for Obamacare Rate Hikes

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 12, 2014

Only three days until the Obamacare exchanges open for 2015 enrollment. Last Sunday, the federal government released preliminary rates for window shopping. We compared the cheapest insurance plans in…

Media

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Health Care

ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost Care

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 30, 2014

The federal government’s health care overhaul is quickly becoming “Medicaid for all.” The more we learn about the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) newly insured population, the clearer it becomes that…

Media

Read More: ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost Care

Health Care

Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 24, 2014

Premiums are poised to rise significantly in Pennsylvania in year two of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Three insurers announced this week that they are seeking premium increases of…

Media

Read More: Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange

Health Care

Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 16, 2014

Four years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, few think healthcare is more affordable. Premiums and out-of-pocket costs are rising, a new wave of Pennsylvanians are losing their…

Media

Read More: Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?

Health Care

Obamacare’s Broken Promises Leave Pennsylvanians Looking for Solutions

  • October 14, 2014

Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Obamacare’s Broken Promises Leave Pennsylvanians Looking for Solutions Healthcare Solutions Week Highlights Genuine Fixes Last year’s disastrous Obamacare rollout had serious consequences. Here…

Press Release

Read More: Obamacare’s Broken Promises Leave Pennsylvanians Looking for Solutions

Health Care

Access to Care Still a Burden to Bear

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 8, 2014

Need to see a dermatologist in Philadelphia? If you are on Medicaid you’ll have to wait a staggering 49 days, according to recent Merritt Hawkins survey. This is no…

Media

Read More: Access to Care Still a Burden to Bear

Health Care

When the Poorest Fall Through

  • Priya Brannick
  • October 6, 2014

On a Friday near noon, on the top floor of Christ Lutheran Church, John Kiessling has patients occupying both chairs at his charity dental clinic.  He buzzes from one to…

Media

Read More: When the Poorest Fall Through

Health Care

Solving Health Care Without Obamacare Headaches

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2014

Montana’s Rib and Chop House in the Pittsburgh area is taking an innovative approach to providing health care coverage to employees, in spite of Obamacare. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports…

Media

Read More: Solving Health Care Without Obamacare Headaches

Taxes & Economy

Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 18, 2014

Good news: Pennsylvania will no longer spend 40 percent of the general fund budget on public welfare. Instead, we’ll spend it on “human services.” Yesterday, the general assembly approved HB…

Media

Read More: Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed