February 2017
Tom Price Confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services
On February 10th, the Senate confirmed Representative Tom Price (R-GA) as the new secretary of Health and Human Services along party lines at 52-47. An outspoken opponent of the Affordable Care Act, Price will now oversee the implementation of the ACA, Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The confirmation of Secretary Price ushers in a new time of uncertainty for public health, and public health insurance policy- as Price has been a vocal supporter of converting Medicare to a voucher based system and has repeatedly mentioned his desire to defund Planned Parenthood.
On February 10th, the Senate confirmed Representative Tom Price (R-GA) as the new secretary of Health and Human Services along party lines at 52-47. An outspoken opponent of the Affordable Care Act, Price will now oversee the implementation of the ACA, Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The confirmation of Secretary Price ushers in a new time of uncertainty for public health, and public health insurance policy- as Price has been a vocal supporter of converting Medicare to a voucher based system and has repeatedly mentioned his desire to defund Planned Parenthood.
National Clinical Care Commission Act (H.R. 309) Passes House
On January 10th, the House passed the National Clinical Care Commission Act, which now awaits hearings in the Senate. H.R. 309 would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Clinical Care Commission within the Department of Health and Human Services. This commission would act to create more effective care coordination for Americans with diabetes and related complex autoimmune and complex metabolic diseases.
The committee would be composed of the heads of various health agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Veterans Affairs, and the Indian Health Service as well as experts in the fields of endocrinology and primary care and patient advocates. This bill, if passed, could bring care coordination to the forefront of healthcare and stand to improve public health.
On January 10th, the House passed the National Clinical Care Commission Act, which now awaits hearings in the Senate. H.R. 309 would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Clinical Care Commission within the Department of Health and Human Services. This commission would act to create more effective care coordination for Americans with diabetes and related complex autoimmune and complex metabolic diseases.
The committee would be composed of the heads of various health agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Veterans Affairs, and the Indian Health Service as well as experts in the fields of endocrinology and primary care and patient advocates. This bill, if passed, could bring care coordination to the forefront of healthcare and stand to improve public health.
Pennsylvania S.B. 10 puts Philadelphia Funding at Risk
The PA S.B. 10 or the Municipal Sanctuary and Federal Enforcement (SAVE Act) passed the Pennsylvania state house on February 7th. This bill would prevent cities and municipalities throughout the commonwealth from declaring themselves “sanctuary cities” by cutting funding to any that label themselves as such. Sanctuary cities have come under attack from many republican lawmakers recently because they protect those who are undocumented from declaring themselves.
This bill, while claiming to make the commonwealth “safer” would actually do the opposite. Research has shown that in cities with the sanctuary declaration, undocumented individuals are more likely to call in crimes, creating lower rates of crime. Additionally, Philadelphia stands to lose over $600 million in funding should this pass, which could result in underfunding of vital public health and safety functions the city provides, such as police patrols and some services provided by the Philadelphia Department of Health.
Call your state legislators and Governor Wolf today to oppose S.B. 10!
The PA S.B. 10 or the Municipal Sanctuary and Federal Enforcement (SAVE Act) passed the Pennsylvania state house on February 7th. This bill would prevent cities and municipalities throughout the commonwealth from declaring themselves “sanctuary cities” by cutting funding to any that label themselves as such. Sanctuary cities have come under attack from many republican lawmakers recently because they protect those who are undocumented from declaring themselves.
This bill, while claiming to make the commonwealth “safer” would actually do the opposite. Research has shown that in cities with the sanctuary declaration, undocumented individuals are more likely to call in crimes, creating lower rates of crime. Additionally, Philadelphia stands to lose over $600 million in funding should this pass, which could result in underfunding of vital public health and safety functions the city provides, such as police patrols and some services provided by the Philadelphia Department of Health.
Call your state legislators and Governor Wolf today to oppose S.B. 10!
Pennsylvania S.B. 3 Would Impose the Strictest Abortion Restrictions in US
This bill, which Governor Tom Wolf has stated he will veto should it make it to his desk in Harrisburg, would ban many safe and vital abortion services currently available to Pennsylvania residents who become pregnant. It creates a ban on abortions after 20 weeks, with no exceptions for rape, incest, fetal genetic abnormalities, and the health of the mother. It also completely outlaws what is widely considered to be the safest method of abortion completely, putting the lives of many at risk.
This bill passed the state senate 32-18 and is expected to pass the house. While the Governor has expressed his willingness to veto this dangerous bill, it is expected to come close to meeting the requirements in the legislature to override his decision.
Please contact Governor Wolf and your state legislators today to tell them to vote against this measure!
This bill, which Governor Tom Wolf has stated he will veto should it make it to his desk in Harrisburg, would ban many safe and vital abortion services currently available to Pennsylvania residents who become pregnant. It creates a ban on abortions after 20 weeks, with no exceptions for rape, incest, fetal genetic abnormalities, and the health of the mother. It also completely outlaws what is widely considered to be the safest method of abortion completely, putting the lives of many at risk.
This bill passed the state senate 32-18 and is expected to pass the house. While the Governor has expressed his willingness to veto this dangerous bill, it is expected to come close to meeting the requirements in the legislature to override his decision.
Please contact Governor Wolf and your state legislators today to tell them to vote against this measure!