Pennsylvania hospitals would be required to meet minimum nurse-to-patient ratios under bills introduced in the state House and Senate. The ratios would vary depending on the care setting, but supporters say they could both improve patient safety and save money in the long run. Inadequate staffing is the ultimate concern for Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses […]
Wanted: volunteers to participate in the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania. The annual statewide roadside cleanup effort plays an important role in keeping Pennsylvania beautiful. “It’s surprising how much litter is out there,” says PennDOT spokeswoman Jamie Legenos. “For instance, last year alone there was 6.7-million pounds of litter that was collected from roads, trails […]
During his reelection bid last year US Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) favored civil unions but did not take a position on the same sex marriage debate. Now, with the question before the US Supreme Court, Casey says he favors marriage equality and believes the federal Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed. Casey’s official statement […]
State-by-state data is shedding new light on the problem of financial insecurity. While 13% of Pennsylvanians live in poverty as defined by their incomes, more than 37% live in what’s known as liquid asset poverty. “We need to encourage residents to build savings and prepare for the unforeseen,” says Lyn Kugel of PathWays PA, “so […]
More food for thought as Governor Tom Corbett prepares to meet next week (April 2nd) with the U. S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to discuss Medicaid expansion. The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania has released a study that shows expanding Medicaid coverage in Pennsylvania will boost economic activity by at least 3.2 […]
A small group of state lawmakers is renewing the push to eliminate public officials’ annual cost-of-living adjustments, commonly referred to as COLAs. Every year lawmakers and a variety of other public officials receive a pay raise that’s tied to the consumer price index, but first-term state Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) says it’s time for the […]
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, Brad Christman and Matt Paul discuss the opening on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court consideration of same sex marriage and a property tax elimination bill in Harrisburg. Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on the top news stories of the week. Click […]
Marriage equality advocates are calling this week’s US Supreme Court arguments a watershed moment. Two cases were argued before the high court: one challenges California’s voter-approved same-sex marriage ban, while the other takes to task the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). “In light of everything it really says whether or not fairness and […]
The US Senate Judiciary Committee has already advanced four pieces of gun legislation, but it remains to be seen what the chamber will vote upon when it reconvenes next month. Regardless of what happens, Vice President Joe Biden says it’s just the beginning. “The American people are way ahead of their political leaders and we […]
The entire Susquehanna River basin will be the subject of extensive testing and sampling for the remainder of 2013. The Department of Environmental Protection’s new 2013 Susquehanna River Sampling Plan calls for tests to be run on water quality, sediments, pesticides and fish. It’s all in hopes of finally putting to rest the mystery surrounding […]