PathWays PA Policy Blog

Governor Wolf presented his sixth budget today with a focus on education, supporting workers and the workforce, and reducing gun violence. Overall, the budget increases spending to $36 billion compared to last year. Governor Wolf also proposed a higher minimum wage (as he did last year), raising the current rate of $7.25/hour to $12/hour by July and then increasing the wage over time until it reaches $15 in 2026. The last time the minimum wage increased in Pennsylvania was when the federal government increased the wage in 2009. Here are some of the articles we've been reading on the budget: Highlights of the proposed 2020-21 Pennsylvania budget Pa. Governor’s Budget Pushes for Addressing Asbestos in Schools, College Debt Aid Pa. budget: Another year of flat funding for public libraries lands them in ‘Loser’ list Governor Wolf Urges Legislature to Tackle Gun Violence, Student Debt, Toxic Schools Click here for large version Click here to view larger version

Metastatic breast cancer (also known as Stage IV breast cancer) occurs when cancer spreads beyond the breast into other parts of the body, including the bones, liver, and brain. 116 people die each day from metastatic breast cancer in the United States - but, with access to treatment, metastatic patients can go into remission, live longer, and/or have better quality of life. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would waive a 2 year waiting period for metastatic patients to be eligible for Medicare. It would also waive a 5 month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for those who qualify. Access to healthcare and benefits is key for all those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Coalition reports that the Act has been introduced in the House and Senate . Please contact your legislators at 202-224-3121 and ask them to sign on!

Last week, the federal government announced a proposed change to the Health Care Rights Law (part of the Affordable Care Act) that would overturn healthcare protections for transgender people. Under the rule change, gender identity would no longer be protected by federal laws preventing discrimination in health care. Requirements that insurers give notice of a patient's rights to translation services would also be eliminated. According to the ACLU , the new rule would also remove "termination of pregnancy" as a reason to make a legal claim of sex discrimination in health care. Both the specific protections for transgender people and termination of pregnancy have been the subject of lawsuits and were stopped under federal injunction. While there are other protections for transgender people in the ACA , repealing this part of the law could lead to further rollbacks later. Take Action: The Protect Trans Health Campaign has a link to submit a comment to the Dep...

There were few surprises in this year's Pennsylvania budget (other than the fact that it finished up early). We've compiled our usual list below of line items affecting low-income families and the people we serve. To see the full budget, visit the PA Office of the Budget . As you can see below, most line items that we follow stayed level or increased in funding. While the Governor's budget "zeroed out" (removed funding) from a few, all programs that we watch regained their funding in the legislature.

Click here to enlarge This afternoon, Governor Wolf announced the 2018-2019 budget, along with some of his policy initiatives for the year. In his budget speech , he proposed an additional $125 million for K-12 education and a new program, called Community Health Choices, designed to help seniors receive care in their communities instead of in facilities. The budget summary  also calls for an increase in the minimum wage, modernization of the Equal Pay law, and the passage of a statewide paid sick days bill. The chart pictured here shows selected line items from the Governor's budget. Basic Education, Pre-K Counts, and the Children's Health Insurance Program are among the programs set to get an increase, while Adult and Family Literacy and County Assistance Offices see a slight decrease in funding. A number of programs, including Mobile Science and Math Education, Job Training and Special Education, Regional Cancer Institutes, ALS Support Services, and the New Choices/Ne...

Last week, it seemed as though the Senate Healthcare Bill was stopped in it's entirety. The Bill did not have enough votes to pass and Sen. McConnell's attempts to pass a repeal-only Bill forward were shut down, so it seemed as though the Affordable Care Act was safe for the time being. However, we are now hearing that there is a possibility of the Bill being revived and voted on once again this week. A CBO analysis showed the statistics behind the revised Senate Healthcare Bill - 22 million Americans would be kicked off of their insurance should it pass. This number was found before taking into account the "Cruz Amendment" which would allow insurance companies to offer less comprehensive insurance. Both repealing and replacing the ACA in this form (causing 22 million Americans to lose coverage) or repealing without replacing  (causing 32 million Americans to lose coverage), are unacceptable options.  Take advantage of this opportunity to call your senators at 866...

Update 1:13 PM EST - Three Republican senators have already stated they will not support any outright repeal of the ACA without a replacement in place, making it unlikely that repeal will happen anytime soon. Last night, the latest effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act appeared to collapse when two Republican senators joined the ranks of those unable to vote yes on the bill. There are not enough votes to pass the bill, or even bring it up for debate. So what comes next? Senator Mitch McConnell has now called for a vote to repeal the ACA without replacing it. According to the Senator, the repeal would not actually take effect for two years . A look at ACA repeal by the independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in January 2017 found that repeal legislation, by 2026, would: lead to 32 million people losing coverage double insurance premiums leave 75% of Americans without access to the individual market You can read an article from FiveThirtyEight.com here t...

Today I had the opportunity to present materials on paid leave and financial resources at a cancer navigators meeting. We're putting these materials online so more people can access them. Special thanks to PathWays PA (in particular Paula Staton) and Family Values @ Work for their research and support! Laws that help patients and caregivers at work Financial Resources for patients and caregivers Resources for staff and counselors to share Put the FMLA to Work for You (PS- please remember that bit.ly links have to be typed exactly as they are, including capitalization, to work!)

The Pennsylvania State House voted yesterday to pass a 2017-2018 budget package that cuts $815 million in spending from the budget proposed by Governor Wolf in February. The final vote was 114-85, with most (but not all) Republicans supporting the plan but no Democratic votes. The bill now moves on to the Senate. Budget cuts could be found across the board, including the human services line items that we follow. Some increases to education made by the governor remain in the budget, although early childhood education is getting a smaller increase than requested. Please take a look at the chart below to see how your budget items fared, or look at the full budget here . Your next steps: Look at the line items that matter to you, and call your state senator to share your thoughts. Should something be getting more money? Less? Tell your senator today. (PS - The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center has a Fair Share Tax proposal on their website that could give you some ideas on how a...

CityHealth has published a national report offering the first-ever assessment of how our nation’s 40 largest cities fare when it comes to policies that can make real, lasting impacts in people’s everyday quality of life. All recommendations are based in evidence, backed by experts, and have a track record of bipartisan support. Philadelphia received an overall silver medal for its health policy decisions including paid sick days and universal pre-k. You can see the full list of cities here and look to see where Philadelphia can improve to earn a gold medal.

As in most years, we've put together a graphic highlighting programs of special interest to PathWays PA and our clients. Please take a look and let us know what you think of the Governor's proposed funding methods.

On October 24th, 2015 children without eye care insurance will be able to be fitted for eyeglasses at a reduced or no price! The event will take place at WillsEye Hospital, located at 840 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA. Any child 18 years or younger is eligible for care. Insured children can also receive take part in this event. This event was started by PCCY, or Public Citizens for Children and Youth. Nearly 2/3 of children in Philadelphia’s school districts who fail an eye exam do not get follow up care. With the help of Wills Eye Hospital, Visionworks, Eagles Youth Partnership, Jefferson University Medical College and First Hospital Foundation, PCCY has been able to fit 5,500 children with eyeglasses since 2009.  If you are interested in your child participating in this event contact 215-563-5848 x17 or email helpline@pccy.org. If you are interested in volunteering, call 215-563-5848 or email gksd@pccy.org. Interested in PathWays Pa blog posts on similar topics?  7/15...

On Wednesday, September 17, from 10 am - 1 pm, you can take part in free health screenings, gather educational materials, and learn the latest about preventative health at the 4th Annual Women and Families Wellness Event. The event will take place at the Delaware County Government Center, which is located at 201 Front Street in Media. Please share this information and join us there! Interested in PathWays PA blog posts on similar topics? 5/29/14 - Support Health Care for Military Women and Military Families 3/18/14 - Upcoming Public Webinars on the Affordable Healthcare Law! 5/22/13 - Make Sure You Know-Women's Preventative Health Services Have NO Co-Pay!

From our friends at PHAN Become a PHAN certified health reform trainer. There will be two trainings outside the Philadelphia area in the coming weeks: NorthEastern PA-Monday, January 6th from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Location TBD  Apply Here. Lehigh Valley-Tuesday, January 7th from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Location TBD  Apply Here. To apply you must: Fill out the application for NEPA or Fill out the application for Lehigh Valley . Commit to the classroom training. Be willing to conduct at least 1 training or outreach activity per month for 12 months following your certification. Agree to offer your trainings free of charge (excluding the acceptance of travel reimbursements). Here's how it works: Once your application is approved, you'll be trained by PHAN staff on the law and best practices for public education. We'll also supply you with a resource guide book and a slideshow.  In order to receive PHAN certification at the end of your training, you'll nee...

The 3rd Annual Delaware County Wellness Fair is on September 18, 2013, at the Delaware County Government Center in Media. Come out between 10 AM and 1 PM for FREE screenings, educational materials and the latest information about preventive health for everyone. Sponsored by: Delaware County Council, Delaware County Women's Commission Delaware County Department of Intercommunity Health, Friends of the Delaware County Women's Commission, Crozer-Keystone Health System, Mercy Health System/Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Main Line Health System/Riddle Hospital.

Low or no cost shingles vaccines will be available on Friday from 9AM-1PM at Harrah's Casino and Racetrack located on Route 291 in Chester. One out of three people will develop shingles. Risk factors include age (50+ years), weakened immune system (due to diseases, cancer treatments, medications), and history of chickenpox. To participate, you must be 50 years of age or older and uninsured, or your insurance does not cover the vaccine to be eligible. To schedule an appointment, or if you have questions, please call Delaware County State Health Center at (610) 447-3250.

Recently, Philadelphia became the third U.S. city to pass a resolution calling for federal and state funding of reproductive healthcare services, including abortion. The Women's Medical Fund offers direct assistance to women seeking reproductive health services, but resources don't always meet the growing need of assistance. The average women seeking assistance for reproductive health services makes $618 per month. Read the entire resolution here

From our friends at the  Restaurant Opportunities Center Philadelphia .    To get involved with the Restaurant Opportunities Center, a national restaurant workers organization, or to learn more about their work with the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces earned sick day campaign in Philadelphia, please email  sheila@rocunited.org . Sign up online: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dEowdnU5ekFMekdUWTQ0VVhkVDZ2eHc6MQ During the worst flu season in a decade, 93% of restaurant workers in Philadelphia do not have access to health insurance or earned sick days. As a result 2/3 of restaurant workers have reported having to work while sick. The lack of sick days afforded to restaurant workers creates a breeding ground for a public health crisis during flu season. According to the American Journal of Public Health, lack of paid sick time led to an estimated 5 million additional cases of H1N1 flu in 2009. In order to k...

The State Health Department reported Tuesday there were 18 influenza-related deaths last week, bringing to 22 the total number of flu-related deaths this season. The number of confirmed flu cases jumped to a total of 11,327 since Oct. 2, 2012.   More than 7,000 flu cases were reported during the last two weeks of December, and the flu season has not yet peaked. Distribution of flu cases reported in Pennsylvania  this season by county, 10/02/12 - 01/05/2013 Flu cases have now been reported in all the state's 67 counties. Philadelphia is reporting  severe cold and flu symptoms .  The number of cases are not expected to peak until mid-January or February, so it is not too late to get a flu shot. Please visit www.flu.gov   for a listing of flu shot locations in Philadelphia, symptoms and prevention methods. If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone...

SPECIAL EVENTS Federal Policy Updates A WEBINAR FOR THE BUDGET-PERPLEXED Stop the Slashing: The human needs advocates' simple guide to understanding - and defeating - unprecedented attacks on the federal budget Tuesday, June 7, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Eastern time Register today! https://chn.peachnewmedia.com/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=8116 Massive cuts in essential services like Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP/food stamps, education and children's services, help to low-income communities such as housing and the Community Services Block Grant, and virtually every other human needs program. A large number of proposals being floated in Washington would devastate these services and would make it far harder for the federal government to respond to economic downturns and solve looming national problems. These proposals don't have straightforward names like "The Act to Slash Health Care for Older Americans" or "The Act to Cut Services for Low- and Moderate-In...