Welfare
Medicaid Eligibility Matters
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Should a health-care program for low-income seniors, the disabled, kids, and pregnant mothers be co-opted by hundreds of thousands of healthy adults? Adults not even…
Read More: Medicaid Eligibility MattersThe 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.
State Budget
Refocus on Government Assistance that Transforms Lives for Good
Six years ago, the Pennsylvania legislature ended the General Assistance program, a monthly cash benefit to disabled adults. In that same bill, Pennsylvania strengthened food stamp work requirements (later rolled…
Media
Read More: Refocus on Government Assistance that Transforms Lives for GoodCriminal Justice Reform
Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. Wolf
In the last four years Pennsylvania has experienced rapid state spending growth. On the plus side, constant tax hike proposals have been largely rejected and policies like pension reform, school…
Memo
Read More: Spending Trends & Policy Developments Under Gov. WolfCriminal Justice Reform
Another Step Towards Reducing Barriers to Work
Pennsylvania licenses over 250 occupations, creating unnecessary bureaucracy and obstacles to good paying jobs. Across the country states like Arizona, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Nebraska are eliminating licensure requirements…
Media
Read More: Another Step Towards Reducing Barriers to WorkHealth Care
Hidden Human Services Spending
What’s the main driver of spending in Harrisburg? It’s not education. The main driver of costs is the Department of Human Services, which includes Medicaid, child services, nursing home care…
Media
Read More: Hidden Human Services SpendingState Budget
Time for Welfare Work Requirements
Yesterday, welfare work requirement bills HB 2138 and HB 1659 moved out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. This move ensures welfare reform will be a focus…
Media
Read More: Time for Welfare Work RequirementsTaxes & Economy
A Career for Life: Toni’s Work Story
DuBois resident Toni Prescott Flanders knows the value of hard work. As a teenager she worked alongside her mom, who owned a restaurant. But Toni wanted more than a job.
Media
Read More: A Career for Life: Toni’s Work StoryHealth Care
More than a Paycheck: Amanda’s Work Story
A mother of four, Amanda Zernell worked odd jobs – as a certified nurse assistant at minimum wage and later at Sears – to help support her family. But after…
Media
Read More: More than a Paycheck: Amanda’s Work StoryHealth Care
A Future for My Kids and Me
Megan Spaulding graduated from the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology Medical Assistant program two years ago. This single mom turned medical professional describes her new found career as “life-changing.”…
Media
Read More: A Future for My Kids and MeHealth Care
Medicaid is Broken, Work Requirements Can Help
Pennsylvanians deserve every opportunity to live fulfilling, prosperous lives. But too often, government programs end up holding back our friends and neighbors by discouraging them from pursuing independence.
Commentary
Read More: Medicaid is Broken, Work Requirements Can HelpTaxes & Economy
The Path to Prosperity
Last month we featured the story of Diane, a hardworking medical assistant in Clearfield County and graduate of the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) medical assistant…
Media
Read More: The Path to ProsperityTaxes & Economy
State House Strengthens Food Stamps Work Requirements
Today, the state House passed HB 1659, which strengthens existing work requirements for able-bodied adults in Pennsylvania’s food stamp program. This follows a work requirement measure for Medicaid,…
Press Release
Read More: State House Strengthens Food Stamps Work RequirementsHealth Care
Welfare Reform is Sweeping the Nation
“Right now, America combines near-record-low unemployment with near-record-high welfare dependency — the result of state-level eligibility exemptions, federal loopholes and policies that put work on the back burner.” Those are…
Media
Read More: Welfare Reform is Sweeping the NationTaxes & Economy
The Dignity of Work in Rural Pennsylvania
The Brockway Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) is only five years old, but it has helped over 100 unemployed and underemployed Pennsylvanians find fulfilling and family-sustaining healthcare careers.
Media
Read More: The Dignity of Work in Rural PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
House Passes Work-Promoting Medicaid Reform
Today, the state House passed legislation, HB 2138, promoting independence among healthy, adult Medicaid recipients by requiring them to find part-time work or engage in job training to continue receiving…
Press Release
Read More: House Passes Work-Promoting Medicaid ReformHealth Care
House Takes Step Towards Transformative Welfare Reform
Lawmakers took a significant step towards strengthening human service programs today. The House Health Committee passed HB 2138 with bipartisan support to restore the dignity of work for people…
Media
Read More: House Takes Step Towards Transformative Welfare ReformHealth Care
What’s the Goal of Welfare Reform?
Pennsylvania's welfare system focuses on how much one needs to “get by” or how many different services and programs one can qualify for. These are well-intentioned attitudes that stem from…
Media
Read More: What’s the Goal of Welfare Reform?Taxes & Economy
More Dependency Isn’t the Answer to PA Poverty
Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller wants more people on food stamps (or SNAP). In a hearing with the Senate Appropriations Committee, she argued that because the program…
Media
Read More: More Dependency Isn’t the Answer to PA PovertyHealth Care
Missing the Mark in Medicaid
When it comes to welfare, state government asks the wrong question. That’s the premise of Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s views on welfare reform in the latest Brews and Views podcast.
Media
Read More: Missing the Mark in MedicaidHealth Care
Pressure Mounts to Create a Pathway to Prosperity in Medicaid
During state budget hearings this week, Pennsylvanians learned some unwelcome news about healthy adults added to Medicaid under the Obamacare expansion: less than half are working. The Department of Human Services (DHS)…
Media
Read More: Pressure Mounts to Create a Pathway to Prosperity in MedicaidHealth Care
Improving Medicaid through Work & Community Engagement
For the first time, the federal government is allowing states to require recipients to pursue work, education, or community engagement to maintain Medicaid benefits. With wide support in Pennsylvania, this…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Improving Medicaid through Work & Community EngagementHealth Care
Poll: Voters Overwhelmingly Support Medicaid Work Requirements
In other states, thousands of Americans previously dependent on government programs have transformed their lives and achieved independence thanks to work requirements. But Pennsylvania’s human services system still traps people…
Press Release
Read More: Poll: Voters Overwhelmingly Support Medicaid Work Requirements