Elizabeth Stelle
Director of Policy Analysis
Elizabeth has researched and written on government reform, health care, welfare, energy, and government transparency. Her work has been featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Patriot-News, Philadelphia Inquirer, and a variety of radio and television programs throughout the commonwealth. Elizabeth is a graduate of Grove City College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history.
A native of Ohio, Elizabeth makes her home in the Pittsburgh area with her husband and four children. She enjoys swimming, traveling to historic landmarks and exploring the moral foundations of capitalism.
Healthcare Problems Require Personal Solutions
Next month, Obamacare enrollment will start anew. Rather than a solution to an ailing healthcare system, this promises mass confusion, higher prices, and more families looking for help. …
Commentary
Read More: Healthcare Problems Require Personal SolutionsHealth Care
Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?
Four years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, few think healthcare is more affordable. Premiums and out-of-pocket costs are rising, a new wave of Pennsylvanians are losing their…
Media
Read More: Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?Health Care
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…
Media
Read More: Access to Care Still a Burden to BearRegulation
Unpopular Attempt to Undo Uber
Last week two Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) administrative law judges recommended against legalizing the popular transportation service Uber in Allegheny County. The reason? The company, “is not committed to…
Media
Read More: Unpopular Attempt to Undo UberState Budget
PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce Debt
Every man, woman and child in Pennsylvania owes just over $10,000 in state and local debt. Today, the state House made another positive step towards reducing that debt burden.
Media
Read More: PA House Takes Another Step To Reduce DebtTaxes & 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…
Media
Read More: Safety Net Should be Reformed, not RenamedHealth Care
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…
Media
Read More: Healthy PA Approved, but Still Room to ImprovePublic Union Democracy
Union Lobbying Holds Back Lottery Performance
Illinois’s decision to terminate its lottery private management agreement with Northstar is being misinterpreted as proof that Pennsylvania dodged a bullet by failing to approve a private lottery management…
Media
Read More: Union Lobbying Holds Back Lottery PerformanceHealth Care
Falling Through the Cracks in Obamacare
Mark Ferkler is a Delaware County resident in his mid-thirties. He’s healthy, gainfully employed and now, thanks to Obamacare, is newly uninsured. Yes, you read that right — uninsured. Despite…
Commentary
Read More: Falling Through the Cracks in ObamacareTaxes & 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…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Profiles in Perseverance, Overcoming PovertyTaxes & Economy
Landowners Will Bear Burden of Severance Tax
Randy Walker’s Armstrong County farm has been in the family for three generations. On 72 acres they grow hay, corn, oats, and care for cattle. A few years ago, Randy…
Media
Read More: Landowners Will Bear Burden of Severance TaxEducation
Taxing Business Won’t Save Students
Paul Battista told a Congressional subcommittee last year: “We can now pay a higher family-sustaining wage! We have people working for us that are the primary breadwinners of their household.”…
Commentary
Read More: Taxing Business Won’t Save StudentsHealth Care
Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA
Back in 2012, many laughed at the idea of challenging Obamacare’s individual and employer mandates by arguing that the law as written allows subsidies for insurance in state exchanges only.
Media
Read More: Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PAEducation
Hope and Success in Opportunity Scholarship Program
James Cromartie is a 7th grader at the School of Church Farm in Exton, Pa. His mom, Lynne, is grateful for the school’s challenging academics, art, music and athletic programs.
Media
Read More: Hope and Success in Opportunity Scholarship ProgramPublic Union Democracy
Leaders Agree: Public Unions Are Blocking Reform
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai took to the podium last week, providing press and spectators his response to the Governor’s criticisms, blue-line budget reductions, and House priorities. We applaud…
Media
Read More: Leaders Agree: Public Unions Are Blocking ReformPublic Union Democracy
Gov. Unions Block Pension Reform
Lawmakers may have agreed on a no-new-taxes budget, but the cost drivers behind this year’s budget shortfall and Pennsylvania’s annual budget crisis remain unchanged. Chief among those cost drivers is…
Media
Read More: Gov. Unions Block Pension ReformState Budget
Lack of Priorities Triggers PA Budget Crisis
Pennsylvania has a prioritization problem. Recent controversies about the State Racing Fund and the legislature’s reserve fund provide two examples of why Pennsylvania consistently wrestles with budget crises. Auditor General…
Media
Read More: Lack of Priorities Triggers PA Budget CrisisHealth Care
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…
Media
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…
Media
Read More: Should Taxpayers Pay for Strippers?Health Care
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…
Media
Read More: Will Modified Medicaid Expansion Bring Needed Reforms?Health Care
A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania: Welfare Reform
Pennsylvania is facing an estimated $1.2 billion deficit next fiscal year. To bring the budget into balance without tax increases or borrowing, spending reforms must be implemented. In our…
Media
Read More: A Blueprint for a Prosperous Pennsylvania: Welfare Reform