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

Medicaid: A State Budget Buster

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 20, 2010

Medicaid is gobbling up state budgets left and right, and Pennsylvania is no exception. State Medicaid costs from 2014 through 2020 are estimated to increase by $841.2…

Media

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Health Care

A Free Market in Health Care?!?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 1, 2010

A commenter on our latest Policy Points on Health Care Reform describes health care as “the free market, unregulated situation at the time the Act was passed.” I’m not…

Media

Read More: A Free Market in Health Care?!?

Health Care

Is FactCheck Recycling Talking Points on ObamaCare?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 29, 2010

Here is an email I sent to FactCheck.org: Your recent article claims insurance premiums won’t go up. Are you kidding? Simple economics, or the experience of states like…

Media

Read More: Is FactCheck Recycling Talking Points on ObamaCare?

Health Care

Health Care Reform: An Update

  • October 27, 2010

Before enacting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Congress had to pass the bill before we'd find out what's in…

Fact Sheet

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Health Care

Pelosi Explains the Health Care Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2010

In a speech in Pittsburgh to the “Women of Steel”, which includes the Steelworkers union, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, and Supergirl, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi outlined what…

Media

Read More: Pelosi Explains the Health Care Bill

Health Care

More Side Effects of Obamacare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 18, 2010

Every day it seems we are hearing more bad news about the effects of the new health care reform law. From rising premiums to narrowing coverage, the side effects…

Media

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Health Care

Big Gas, Big Fast Food Chains, and Big Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2010

PA Independent reports that the largest drillers in the Marcellus Shale sat in on the Rendell and the Conquistadors’ Columbus Day meeting: Although 75 companies currently operate wells…

Media

Read More: Big Gas, Big Fast Food Chains, and Big Government

Health Care

ObamaCare will Dramatically Increase Medicaid Costs in PA

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 6, 2010

A reader asked us what kind of effect ObamaCare would have on Medicaid costs in Pennsylvania. We’ve put together some numbers, and it’s not pretty. First of all, even without…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Immigration Verification and Welfare Fraud

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2010

Thank you for allowing the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives, a non-partisan educational institute based in Harrisburg, to submit written testimony concerning HB 1359, which would require proof of…

Testimony

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Government Accountability

Grassroots Activists Battle Special Interest Agenda

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 29, 2010

Earlier this year, we blogged on HB 2246, which would have allowed trial lawyers in auto cases to suggest the amount of compensation their plaintiffs should receive for their…

Media

Read More: Grassroots Activists Battle Special Interest Agenda

Health Care

PA Medicaid Enrollment Reaches All-Time High

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 23, 2010

One in six Pennsylvanians are now eligible for Medicaid or Medical Assistance, thanks to the economic downturn and generous eligibility standards. The Post-Gazette reports 2.2 million individuals now rely…

Media

Read More: PA Medicaid Enrollment Reaches All-Time High

Health Care

Why Obama Can’t “Sell” the Health Care Law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2010

The AP writes that President Obama blames himself for not “selling” the health care law — this despite giving dozens of speeches on the issue and spending millions…

Media

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Health Care

Insurance Hypocrisy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 27, 2010

I saw a commercial during an episode of Jeopardy from the Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority. It warns people against trying to buy car insurance after an accident…

Media

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Health Care

“Explaining” ObamaCare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 24, 2010

Merrill Matthews has a piece up on Forbes.com on why ObamaCare needs explaining…to those who voted for it. The report also says, “It is critical to reassure seniors…

Media

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Health Care

States Saying No to Individual Mandate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 11, 2010

Merrill Matthews has a good article up on Forbes about what states are doing to fight the individual health insurance mandate in the new law. He touches both on…

Media

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Health Care

Missouri Voters Reject Obamacare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 4, 2010

Last night, Missouri voters passed Proposition C. The initiative would prevent the state from enforcing any mandate on individuals to buy health insurance. The measure was opposed by every…

Media

Read More: Missouri Voters Reject Obamacare

State Budget

What Happens to PA Budget without FMAP Money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 2, 2010

Gov. Rendell is supposed to meet with lawmakers today to discuss options if Congress doesn’t approve the $850 million in federal FMAP funds. Pete DeCoursey (subscription) breaks down the…

Media

Read More: What Happens to PA Budget without FMAP Money

State Budget

How to Reduce Welfare Fraud

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 28, 2010

Following Matt Brouillette’s commentary on whether Tom Corbett (should he win) can balance the budget and keep his ‘no tax’ pledge,…

Media

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Government Accountability

The Tort Anti-Reform of HB 2246

  • July 6, 2010

Citizens to Protect PA Jobs recently issued an action alert on HB 2246, which flies in the face of the type of tort reform Pennsylvania needs. A hindrance…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Video: Welfare Fraud

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 18, 2010

CF Research Associate Elizabeth Stelle gives testimony on welfare fraud and abuse in Pennsylvania in this latest video, courtesy the PA House Republican Policy Committee. You…

Media

Read More: Video: Welfare Fraud