Harrisburg, March 21, 2013 — Senate Democratic Law and Justice Chair Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today released statements expressing their opposition to the passage of the wine and spirits privatization plan in the Pa House of Representatives.
“Governor Corbett and House Republicans are giving away an important public asset in their ideological thirst for privatization,” Ferlo said. “Their plan will destroy consumer choices, reasonable prices, family sustaining jobs, and it will cause social disruption in our communities.”
Expressing disappointment on behalf of his constituents, Ferlo questioned the motives in the privatization plan.
“Through today’s vote for wine and spirits privatization, Republican leadership in the governor’s office and the state House continued its assault on the middle class, showing no hesitation in eliminating family-sustaining, middle class employment in favor of giving their rich allies a chance to sell alcohol and pocket the profits.”
Ferlo strongly maintains that a better approach is his modernization bill; legislation that has gained 26 bipartisan co-sponsors. The bill would allow for more appropriate pricing, flexibility in hiring, acquisition of in-demand products and direct shipment of wine, while also providing for package reform in beer sales.
Senator Costa has long maintained the lack of need for privatizing the Liquor Control Board operations.
“I am very disappointed by the passage of the liquor privatization legislation by the House,” Costa said. “Instead of privatizing we should be modernizing the wine and spirits system. We should not be ceding the control of alcohol to companies that are driven by profit and not control.”
Costa expressed his deep concern about the loss of thousands of jobs to hard working Pennsylvanians, amidst the potential, significant loss of revenue for the commonwealth.
“The republican scheme to rely on one-time revenues while cutting thousands of family-sustaining jobs opens a door to fiscal instability that we will never be able to close. The House vote today puts hundreds of millions of dollars in the balance, and thousands of dedicated employees are caught in the middle of this debate.”
Costa asserted that divesting our current system for one that offers no future guarantees is a gamble that no one should be willing to make.
“This is the wrong time to allow a massive expansion of access to alcohol without proper safeguards,” continued Costa. “The liquor plan that passed the House is purposely confusing and convoluted and its passage was driven by special interests and political expediency.
“Gov. Corbett’s liquor expansion plan takes Pennsylvania in the wrong direction,” Costa said.
For more information on Senator Ferlo’s Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and beer sales modernization bill, visit http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20130&cosponId=12007
CONTACT:
Stacey Witalec| Press Secretary
Senator Jay Costa and Senate Democratic Caucus
535 Main Capitol | Harrisburg, Pa 17120
Phone:(717)772-2368 | Cell:(717)877-2997
www.senatorcosta.com
Measure would require Pennsylvania’s participation
HARRISBURG, March 13, 2013 – Senate Democrats announced sweeping legislation that would compel Pennsylvania to participate in the expansion of Medicaid so that 650,000 more Pennsylvanians would be covered by health insurance.
The lawmakers said they are taking this action because Gov. Tom Corbett has refused to allow Pennsylvania to join a litany of other states that have agreed to expand Medicaid to cover persons making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
They say that legislation is required if Pennsylvania is going to participate.
“There is simply no good reason why Pennsylvania should not be participating in the expansion of Medicaid,” Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), the Democratic Leader, said. “It makes no sense to deny health care for 650,000 people, turn down $4 billion in federal money, give thumbs down to an estimated 41,000 jobs and refuse the more than $670 million that would be generated from savings and new revenues.
“Senate Democrats believe legislation needs to be passed so Pennsylvania can expand the Medicaid program to cover more of our citizens, so we are introducing legislation that compels Pennsylvania to participate.”
As a result of the ruling of the United States Supreme Court in the Affordable Care Act decision (ACA), states were able to opt into the ACA’s Medicaid expansion provisions. The court left the decision on whether to participate in the hands of the governors and state leaders.
“The governor has provided huge tax giveaways to Pennsylvania’s largest corporations, costing the commonwealth almost $900 million,” said Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/
Montgomery), the Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said. “He should be able to help low-income working people.”
“Republican governors from surrounding states including New Jersey and Ohio have signaled that they want citizens of their states who qualify to access health care,” said Hughes. “This should not be a political issue and those who need access to health care should be able to get help without becoming the pawns in a partisan battle.”
Senate Democrats said that they don’t understand the governor’s hesitation and his delay tactics that prevent participation.
“The lives of real people are on the line. The time for delay is over,” said Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware), the Democratic Whip. “More of our citizens should have access to health care, because that’s the intent of the law of the land. And we refuse to stand idly by as the governor fails to deliver for our most vulnerable citizens.
“We need to pass legislation that will ensure that Pennsylvanians in need of health care are covered. The General Assembly and the governor have a moral responsibility to act in order so we can make this expansion happen. We have the collective responsibility here to lead.”
Senate Democrats said that they have incorporated a provision in their legislation that allows Pennsylvania to back out of the program if the federal funding commitment evaporates. They said that this provision should allay fears expressed by the governor that Pennsylvania would be on the hook for funding the whole program if federal dollars disappear.
“Introducing legislation to require Pennsylvania to participate in the expansion of Medicaid is the right thing to do,” Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia), Democratic chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, said. “We need to be aggressive and use the resources that we have available to make health-care choices available.”
The Democrats said that there should also be a discussion of additional coverage options in the wake of Commonwealth Court’s decision that invalidated the diversion of tobacco funds that funded the state’s adultBasic insurance program.
The adultBasic program covered low-income working Pennsylvanians and was eliminated by the Corbett administration citing the cost of the program and lack of funds. The program was paid for by tobacco settlement monies and contributions from health insurance companies.
“In light of the court’s decision, there is an opportunity for a dialogue to be reopened about how we can restore the adultBasic program, create a new program or augment the expansion of Medicaid so that more Pennsylvanians can be covered,” Sen. Michael Stack (D-Philadelphia), Democratic chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, said. “We can do more now that the court has said that tobacco monies cannot be diverted.”
“We should be aggressively pursuing options that produce a more extensive health insurance network.”
The ACA covers 100 percent of the cost of the expansion for the first three years. The percentage is gradually reduced over time but the federal government will pick up at least 90 percent of the cost.
Senate Democrats said that they expected the bill to be formally introduced next week.
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Health-care coverage for an estimated 600,000 Pennsylvanians at stake
Pittsburgh, March 8, 2013 – Democratic members of the state Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing in Pittsburgh today to receive testimony from local officials and health-care experts regarding Pennsylvania’s option to expand Medicaid coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act.
“It is my hope to rally all of us together to build a broad-based movement in order to move the governor and his administration forward into reality to join 24 other states and accept the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act,” said Sen. Jim Ferlo, who conducted the hearing. “The long-term battle on this issue is to redefine health care services that specifically meet the needs of our community.”
Ferlo was joined by Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia), who serves as Democratic chair of the committee and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills). Also participating were Sen. Matt Smith (D-Mt. Lebanon), Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline), Sen. John Wozniak (D-Cambria), and Sen. Sean Wiley (D-Erie).
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Medicaid Expansion Hearing Testimony from Shona Eakin :: March 8, 2013
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Expanding Medicaid eligibility would provide health insurance coverage for an estimated 600,000 individuals while simultaneously reducing health-care costs by making preventative services more readily available. It is estimated that cost savings and additional revenue will amount to more than $670 million if the state participates in the expansion.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) included a provision which allowed, but did not require, states to receive federal subsidies in order to expand Medicaid for the purpose of providing insurance coverage to more people.
The decision on Pennsylvania’s participation rests with Gov. Tom Corbett who has, so far, refused to participate.
Hughes made some important distinctions about Pennsylvanians who receive Medicaid: “There is a misconception of individuals on Medicaid. Recipients are all working individuals who are trying to make ends meet, and do everything that is necessary to provide for their families. Since the passage of Obamacare, now is the time to see full implementation of this plan in order to bring jobs to Pennsylvanians and savings to the state budget.”
Federal funds are available to pay 100 percent of the cost of the expansion from 2014 through 2017, at which point Pennsylvania would take on a small percentage of the costs. Following the full phase-in of state coverage, federal funds will continue to cover 90 percent of the cost of the expansion.
“I am proud that we are having this conversation in Pittsburgh today. We must make certain that we have an opportunity to expand Medicaid to more than a half million people in the commonwealth. If we accept the expansion, there is an opportunity for a significant amount of county savings and we need to highlight that benefit as well. All we need to do is weigh the evidence and do the math,” Costa said.
Studies have shown that individuals who are insured get necessary care and better manage complex, chronic issues. Without access to health care, the uninsured become sicker and ultimately rely on emergency room care that they cannot afford. Pennsylvania hospitals provide more than $800 million in uncompensated care annually, according to industry experts.
Fontana acknowledged the need to move Pennsylvania forward by expanding Medicaid coverage.
“I hope the governor is listening,” he said. “We need everyone’s support to get the message through to him because this is a vital issue for all of us.”
Testimony during the hearing focused on the importance of ensuring that those in need continue receiving access to critical health-care services.
Wiley stressed that the governor must do the right thing and expand Medicaid.
“I don’t know how any human being can look hardworking Pennsylvanians in the eye and still refuse to accept $43 billion in federal funds for much needed health-care services,” he said. “The governor’s excuse that he doesn’t trust the federal government to keep its commitment of funding is simply not an acceptable answer for anyone.”
Smith remarked that expanding access to Medicaid will not only help hospitals, taxpayers, and the state economy, but will generate billions of dollars in economic investment and jobs, studies show.
“Governor Corbett is weakening us by making us the only state in an entire region that is not opting in and reaping significant benefits that Medicaid expansion provides,” he said.
“I think it is so important for the public to know that millions of dollars could be saved here,” said Wozniak “Now is the time to start talking about what the Affordable Care Act really says and stop being disingenuous with the public.”
The hearing was held at Wyndham University Center in Oakland.
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Harrisburg, March 5, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today issued the following statement concerning Commonwealth Court’s decision regarding the diversion of tobacco settlement funds from the adultBasic and Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities programs.
The court said Acts 46 and 26 which authorized the diversion of the funds were unconstitutional:
“The court reaffirmed our position that these valuable programs should never have been terminated and working Pennsylvanians left without access to critical health care.
“I urge the governor to commit himself to funding these important programs and to change his position relative to Medicaid expansion in order to serve hundreds of thousands of working men, women and their families.”
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HARRISBURG, March 4, 2013 – The Allegheny County Airport will be receiving a $512,000 state grant for the design and construction of hangars.
“The Allegheny County Airport plays an important role in aiding business and commerce in the Pittsburgh area,” said State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). “This funding will help position the airport to handle more business in the future.”
The $512,000 grant for the West Mifflin facility was one of 10 funded by the Capitol Budget/Transportation Assistance Program. The grants are made available through bond dollars from Pennsylvania’s General Fund budget. Statewide, the $10 million in grants funds is expected to leverage another $11 million in local matching funds.
Costa said the Allegheny County Airport is the seventh busiest airport in Pennsylvania, supporting more than 75,000 takeoffs and landings per year. The Allegheny County Airport supports a high volume of business and corporate flights every day, while also offering flight instruction, maintenance and flight training for pilots through the on-site Pittsburgh Flight Training Center.
There are 133 public use airports in Pennsylvania.
The grant was approved by the State Transportation Commission on February 14.
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