Experience. Integrity. Results
As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over, til it’s over!” That was the very sentiment echoing throughout the capitol as rumors began to spread that the budget would be wrapped up a week before the constitutional June 30 deadline. But within a matter of four days the general appropriations bill started a fast-tracked trek to… Read More»
On Friday, May 4th, 2018, UnitedHealthcare’s National Medicaid CEO, Heather Cianfrocco, and Allison Davenport, UnitedHealthcare’s Pennsylvania Medicaid Plan CEO, and Optum Behavioral Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Martin Rosenzweig were joined by Governor Tom Wolf to announce the UnitedHealth Group’s donation of 10,000 opioid disposal kits to the York, Pennsylvania community (available here). The disposal kits offer people a way to remove unused… Read More»
We are in the midst of a stunning public health crisis. Since 2000, opioid use has caused half a million deaths in the United States, including 64,000 last year alone. President Donald Trump declared a public health emergency in 2017, and Congress is expected to introduce a number of bills in the coming months in an… Read More»
In the 2017/18 PA budget year, like many years prior, Pennsylvania found itself in the midst of tense budget negotiations that carried well beyond the commencement of the fiscal year. Democrats and Republicans debated over how to address the deficit. Governor Tom Wolf tried to entice and engage both sides using carrots and sticks, mostly… Read More»
Budget Update 10/30/17: Today the Governor approved the Admin, Tax, Fiscal, Gaming and Capital Budget bills: HB 118: Amends the Administrative Code implementing the 2017-18 budget & instituting future budget implementation; for administrative organization; providing for alternative judicial administration; and making related repeals. HB 271: Amends Titles 3 (Agriculture) and 4 (Amusements), extensively revising gaming provisions,… Read More»
BUDGET STATUS In light of the House action this week on the budget, I believe (have you heard this before?) that there is finally light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Based on next week’s legislative schedule, here is what I think will happen… The Senate will: move the tax and fiscal code bills… Read More»
**This article was originally written on Law360 By Dan Packel Law360, Philadelphia (October 18, 2017, 5:21 PM EDT) — Lawyers for a set of health insurance providers on Wednesday challenged Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services’ handling of a $12 billion procurement process to administer the state’s Medicaid program before the state’s Commonwealth Court, focusing on an allegedly improper… Read More»
Update 10/18: Pennsylvania House OKs New Cash Package to Backfill Deficit Update 10/12: On Wednesday afternoon, October 25th, the Senate Education and Appropriations Committees will be conducting a joint informational hearing on the lack of funding to the state-related universities along with the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. As you have read on our… Read More»
Budget Update 10/2/17: The Pennsylvania House adjourned on Monday, October 2nd with several members indicating that there indeed is a problem getting the 102 votes for a tax package that includes commercial storage, which is projected to bring in over $175 million in new and sustainable revenue. The Senate did convene for session but all… Read More»
Today’s announcement that Standard and Poor’s lowered its rating on Pennsylvania’s debt is now the second downgrade it has slapped on Pennsylvania in three years as budget makers have struggled to pull the state out of a stubborn post-recession deficit. Aside from today’s downgrade, Governor Wolf stated that the Legislature has until the end of… Read More»