Here's Commonwealth Foundation's weekly news roundup of policy issues being debated in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.
Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!
Obamacare Fraud and the Future of Affordable Healthcare
In Pennsylvania, Attorney General David Sunday announced more fraud charges in the state’s Medicaid program than in any other state. The state recovered $11 million diverted from needy Pennsylvanians.
Fraud is the legacy of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). The 15-year-old law established health insurance exchanges and expanded Medicaid to healthy adults. Since the law’s enactment, premiums soared at three times the rate of inflation — with no end in sight.
What Can Pennsylvanians Do About Increasing Electricity Rates?
Just before Thanksgiving, Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) alerted customers about the rise in standard charges for electricity for seven of the eight major utility companies across the commonwealth.
Pennsylvanians could lower their bills by shopping for lower rates at PA Power Switch, an online PUC-maintained portal that allows ratepayers to compare prices.
Special Needs Students Need School Choice
Shannon Mitchell will never forget the first words from her nonverbal eight-year-old daughter, Brianna. “Hi, mama,” Briana said after getting off the bus on her first day at her new school. “I love you.”
Before this precious moment, Brianna languished at her Philadelphia district school for several years. Brianna — who was diagnosed with autism when she was 2 years old — needed extra support and resources, such as speech therapy. She wasn't getting the help she needed.
The Future Of Energy Policy Begins In Pennsylvania
As states grapple with rising electricity prices, lawmakers struggle to strike a balance between affordable energy and responsible environmental stewardship.
Achieving both may seem impossible, but Pennsylvania proves otherwise. Over the last decade, the Keystone State has aptly demonstrated that states do not need to sacrifice energy development in favor of heavy-handed Green New Deal-style restrictions.
