Healthcare
How Pennsylvania Is Progressing in the Race to Rebuild
The 2021 state budget includes some policy changes to spur recovery and better governance, but much more needs to occur.
Read More: How Pennsylvania Is Progressing in the Race to RebuildThe continued growth in public welfare spending is unsustainable. The federal government is responsible for much of the welfare system, but states can adopt reforms that preserve welfare resources for the most vulnerable. By enacting reforms that promote work and independence, Pennsylvania can right-size state welfare spending and help more Pennsylvanians get back on their feet. Taxpayers deserve a welfare system that compliments a strong economy.
Healthcare
Unlike Medicaid, Charity Clinics Lead to Independence
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…
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Read More: Unlike Medicaid, Charity Clinics Lead to IndependenceCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania State Budget Toolkit
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 ToolkitTaxes & Economy
The Gift of Work
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…
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Read More: The Gift of WorkHealthcare
ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost Care
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…
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Read More: ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost CareHealthcare
Access to Care Still a Burden to Bear
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…
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Read More: Access to Care Still a Burden to BearHealthcare
When the Poorest Fall Through
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…
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Read More: When the Poorest Fall ThroughTaxes & Economy
Safety Net Should be Reformed, not Renamed
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…
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Read More: Safety Net Should be Reformed, not RenamedHealthcare
Healthy PA Approved, but Still Room to Improve
On Thursday, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced approval of the Healthy PA waiver, including a new private coverage option. But the approved waiver severely limited…
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Read More: Healthy PA Approved, but Still Room to ImproveTaxes & Economy
Podcast: Profiles in Perseverance, Overcoming Poverty
Bobbi was struggling. A single mom of two kids, she had a job but no place to live. Thanks to Opportunity House in Reading, Pennsylvania, Bobbi found a home…
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Read More: Podcast: Profiles in Perseverance, Overcoming PovertyHealthcare
There’s No Such Thing as a Temporary Expansion
Last week, the House Health and Human Services Committee advanced HB 1492 to accept the Obamacare Medicaid Expansion. This move would shift the purpose of Medicaid from caring for vulnerable…
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Read More: There’s No Such Thing as a Temporary ExpansionTaxes & Economy
Should Taxpayers Pay for Strippers?
Should individuals be able to spend their welfare benefits on liquor, tobacco, gambling or strippers? Currently, they can. House Bill 907 would codify Department of Welfare electronic benefit card…
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Read More: Should Taxpayers Pay for Strippers?Healthcare
Will Modified Medicaid Expansion Bring Needed Reforms?
While Pennsylvania waits to learn the fate of the Healthy PA waiver, Indiana is making headlines as the latest state to propose a modified expansion. The Healthy Indiana Plan…
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Read More: Will Modified Medicaid Expansion Bring Needed Reforms?Healthcare
Poverty Isn’t a Partisan Problem
Here’s a sobering fact: 13.1 percent of Pennsylvanians live in poverty despite billions spent every year on the social safety net. Simply throwing more money at the problem won’t make…
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Read More: Poverty Isn’t a Partisan ProblemTaxes & Economy
The Harmful Effects of a Minimum Wage Increase
In his 2014 State of the Union address, President Obama proposed increasing the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour. Although it sounds beneficial to low-wage workers, minimum wage…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Harmful Effects of a Minimum Wage IncreaseHealthcare
Washington isn’t Interested in Fixing Medicaid
“We have been legitimately working very hard with them and frankly, I’m very disappointed with the turn in discussions in the last week,” said Governor Corbett (paywall) on the federal…
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Read More: Washington isn’t Interested in Fixing MedicaidState Budget
Almost $2 Billion in Welfare Waste Weeded Out
Lottery winners on welfare, millionaires on food stamps and supervisors that turn a blind eye to fraud; these are the stories that drive Pennsylvanians crazy. But the…
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Read More: Almost $2 Billion in Welfare Waste Weeded OutHealthcare
Liberal Group Screams “Murder” over Medicaid Expansion
This week, John Micek called out Keystone Progress on his Pennlive.com blog for what he termed a “disgusting” email that “has no place in our discourse.” What provoked this…
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Read More: Liberal Group Screams “Murder” over Medicaid ExpansionWelfare
Protection for the Poor a First Step
It’s too easy to steal from low-income Pennsylvanians and taxpayers according to Senators Scarnati and Argall. The lawmakers say it’s time to increase fraud penalties to make stealing over $1000…
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Read More: Protection for the Poor a First StepWelfare
War on Poverty: 50 Years of Failing People
On January 8, 1964, Lyndon Johnson launched America’s “War on Poverty.” After 50 years, it’s clear poverty is winning. After five decades and more than $20 trillion in taxpayer…
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Read More: War on Poverty: 50 Years of Failing PeopleWelfare
Protect the Poor, Not Lotto Winners
Jamie Frankford won $330,000 in the Pennsylvania lottery in 2012, yet continued to collect child care subsidies and Medicaid benefits. Her story, reported by Chris Papst at CBS21, caught…
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Read More: Protect the Poor, Not Lotto WinnersGovernment Accountability
TV Report: Waste & Fraud in Public Welfare
In a scathing investigative report, Chris Papst at CBS 21 revealed a widespread culture in Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare (DPW)—and orders from supervisors—to look past fraudulent claims to enroll…
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Read More: TV Report: Waste & Fraud in Public Welfare