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

Statement on Health Savings Accounts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 29, 2006

John Goodman of NCPA’s US Senate Testimony on Health Savings Accounts and the need for consumer driven health care.: “If health care really were free, people would have an…

Media

Read More: Statement on Health Savings Accounts

Health Care

Opportunities for State Medicaid Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 28, 2006

New Report on state Medicaid reforms from the NCPA. “At the rate the program is growing, it is on a course to consume the entire budgets of state governments…

Media

Read More: Opportunities for State Medicaid Reform

Health Care

States could be overwhelmed by health care burden

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2006

AP Story on how the cost of health care plans for retired state workers will be enormous across the nation, as preliminary numbers (required by new GASB rules) roll…

Media

Read More: States could be overwhelmed by health care burden

Welfare

PA lagging in Welfare to Work

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 8, 2006

Pennsylvania is among a handful of states that need to improve the number of welfare recipients working, the AP reports. Under new federal law, states are required to have…

Media

Read More: PA lagging in Welfare to Work

Health Care

Will Mandatory Health Insurance Work?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 6, 2006

NCPA Analysis of Health Insurance Mandates, such as the new Massachusetts law and proposals discussed at recent hearings in Pennsylvania. Bottom line: they won’t work, and they could drive…

Media

Read More: Will Mandatory Health Insurance Work?

Health Care

Tax Credits for Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 31, 2006

While Pennsylvania lawmakers discuss mandating universal health care coverage, a Census Bureau report indicates fewer people are receiving health insurance from their employers, and more are paying for…

Media

Read More: Tax Credits for Health Care

Health Care

Reveal Health Care Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 30, 2006

Health care pricing – the only good or service I can think of where you don’t learn the price until the bill comes – may be changing. USA Today…

Media

Read More: Reveal Health Care Costs

Health Care

The Benefits of Health Savings Accounts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 25, 2006

Data from Americans for Tax Reform shows that since the creation of Health Savings Accounts (January 2004) the annual growth in health care costs slowed, and health care costs…

Media

Read More: The Benefits of Health Savings Accounts

Health Care

Health Care for All?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 21, 2006

A Pennsylvania House committee will be holding hearings on universal health care (patterned after the Massachusetts plan passed earlier this year), reports the Patriot News. Read why…

Media

Read More: Health Care for All?

Health Care

Health Care Mandates No Silver Bullet

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 21, 2006

In April 2006, Massachusetts enacted a dramatic health care reform package. Dubbed “Romneycare” after Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, this plan calls for reforms in the health insurance market, a mandate…

Commentary

Read More: Health Care Mandates No Silver Bullet

Health Care

The 1% Solution

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • August 7, 2006

In the daily travails of state government, it appears the Senate is prepared to take action best described as “self-reform.” According to reports, beginning as early as September, employees of…

Commentary

Read More: The 1% Solution

Health Care

Judge overturns Wal-Mart law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 20, 2006

AP Story on the overturning of Maryland’s “Wal-Mart” Health Care law. This law would have required all businesses with 10,000 or more workers to spend at least 8% of…

Media

Read More: Judge overturns Wal-Mart law

Health Care

$1 Trillion Shock Awaits States, Local Governments

  • June 30, 2006

Joe Mysak asks on Bloomberg.com: “How much is it going to cost states and localities to pay for public employees’ health care and insurance after they retire? “Try between…

Media

Read More: $1 Trillion Shock Awaits States, Local Governments

Health Care

Accounting rule could bust state budgets

  • June 28, 2006

Stateline.org highlights the coming fiscal crisis in the states when governments are required to recognize medical benefits liabilities. Excerpt… Just when states found some breathing room after years…

Media

Read More: Accounting rule could bust state budgets

Health Care

Reduce Health Insurance Cost Through Competition

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2006

NCPA Analysis of how allowing insurers to offer healthcare coverage across state boundaries would reduce the cost of insurance. Examining only a handful of states, they find a discrepancy…

Media

Read More: Reduce Health Insurance Cost Through Competition

Health Care

Health care for everyone?

  • April 11, 2006

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney writes in today’s Wall Street Journal that he believes he’s found a way to provide health care for everyone, with “no new taxes, no employer…

Media

Read More: Health care for everyone?

Health Care

Health benefit costs

  • March 21, 2006

Th Bucks County Courier Times looks at the healthcare benefits crisis… Good health comes at hefty cost to taxpayers “Biting the bullet’ at public systems Public…

Media

Read More: Health benefit costs