Newsletter Archive

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March 25, 2010

Things Democrats Need To Know

President Obama Signs Historic Health Care Bill Into Law

Thanks to all of your hard work and support, together Democrats brought about change of affordable healthcare. On Tuesday, March 23, the President signed this historic comprehensive health care reform into law. Vice-President Biden said it best – it is a BIG deal!

It is the largest expansion of federal health care since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid more than forty years. The Health Care reform Act establishes some of the toughest patient protections in history, guarantees all Americans affordable health insurance options and reduces the cost of care – cutting over 1 trillion dollars from the federal deficit over the next two decades.

To learn about some of the changes that have already taken place and to learn more about the Health Care Reform Act, click here.

Toomey’s “Plan” For Health Care Reform: “REPEAL AND REPLACE”

A day after President Obama signed into law historic health care reforms which will close the donut hole for seniors, allow children up to age 26 to stay on their parent’s insurance, end appalling insurance practices, lower the deficit, and increase access to health insurance for 1.3 million Pennsylvania residents, Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey has pledged to take away these reforms if elected.

"Pat Toomey has fallen victim to the right-wing litmus test by pledging to take away health care reforms from millions of Pennsylvania residents If Pat Toomey wants to look Pennsylvania voters in the eye this fall and pledge to take away health care reforms that will afford coverage to 1.3 million Pennsylvanians, eliminate the doughnut hole for seniors, offer tax credits to small businesses, lower the deficit, and end appalling insurance practices – then bring it on Mr. Toomey.

"The far-right Club for Growth has been pressuring Republican candidates to sign a pledge to repeal health care reform this fall. The pledge states, “I hereby pledge to the people of my district/state to sponsor and support legislation to repeal any federal health care takeover passed in 2010, and replace it with real reforms that lower health care costs without growing government.” The pledge can be found at http://www.repealit.org/.

Please see below for key points that Toomey wants to deny from working Pennsylvanians

1.3 million residents who do not currently have insurance and 683,000 residents who have nongroup insurance could get affordable coverage through the health insurance exchange.[www.healthreform.gov]
904,000 residents could qualify for premium tax credits to help them purchase health coverage.[www.healthreform.gov]
2.2 million seniors would receive free preventive services.[www.healthreform.gov]
393,000 seniors would have their brand-name drug costs in the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole” halved.[www.healthreform.gov]
151,000 small businesses could be helped by a small business tax credit to make premiums more affordable.[www.healthreform.gov]

Two Peas In A Pod Against Health Care For Pennsylvanians

Already, wannabe-senator Pat Toomey has signed a pledge vowing to repeal this landmark legislation. Just another good reason to make sure we defeat him in November. Do you want to help us? If so, click here to sign-up to be a Toomey Toppler.

If that isn’t enough, on Tuesday, Attorney General and Republican candidate for governor Tom Corbett joined with other Republican Attorney Generals also running for governor to block the Health Care Reform.
It’s a shame that he is using his office to politicize an issue that will help real Pennsylvanians. And what’s worse, he’s wasting our tax money to do so.

Pat Toomey and Tom Corbett are just two peas in a pod. Do they really want to run on a platform of saving seniors money and denying health care coverage to sick kids?

If you want to help save health care reform and tell Tom Corbett to stop wasting our tax money, make sure you stop over on our web site and sign the petition. Thousands of people have already signed it – make sure you do as well.

Finally, our friends over at Health Care for America Now are organizing a protest of Candidate Corbett’s action in front of his office at noon on Monday, March 29th, 4th and Walnut in Harrisburg. If you’re in the area, stop by with a sign and let Pat Toomey and Tom Corbett know that Pennsylvanians support health care reform.

Governor Rendell Earns National Health Quality Award For Work To Expand Access To Health Care

Congratulations to Governor Rendell, whose leadership has earned national recognition for his continuing efforts to expand access to affordable, quality health care for all Pennsylvanians.

The Governor accepted the 2010 Health Quality Award from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, or NCQA, during a March 23 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

NCQA recognized Governor Rendell’s efforts to make health care more efficient and cost-effective through his comprehensive healthcare reform package, Prescription for Pennsylvania “ also known as RX for PA”, launched in 2007.

Governor Rendell And House Democrats – Getting The Job Done!

On Tuesday, the Democratically-controlled Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the Governor’s budget and sent it to the Pennsylvania Senate. Thanks to great leadership from Speaker Keith McCall and Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans, the House passed the budget 100 days early. Now it’s up to the Republican-controlled Senate to do their job. Call your State Senator and urge them to pass the Governor’s budget on time.

The Governor’s budget is a balanced budget that saves for the future with a continued commitment to education and job creation. Below are some key highlights of the budget. If you would like to read more about the 2010-2011 Governor’s budget click here:

It is balanced for the 2010-11 year without a tax increase. (The governor’s proposals for sales tax, tobacco products tax, business tax reform and natural gas extraction tax are to salt money away for the loss of federal stimulus money the following year.)
It continues the commitment to adequate education funding with a proposed $354 million basic education subsidy to school districts, which will help to hold down property taxes at the local level.
The budget makes strategic investments in job creation and economic development programs that will help Pennsylvania shake off the effects of the recession more quickly. Some key examples: $650 million to help companies in the state lower their energy costs and develop a renewable energy industry; $537 million to public infrastructure such as bridges, rail freight lines, small airports, high hazard dams and flood related projects, in addition to normal Motor License Fund spending on highways and bridges; increased funding for our successful job creation programs such as Opportunity Grants, Customized Job training Grants, and others.

Immediate Action Needed In The 12th Congressional District!

The Special Election in the 12th Congressional District is quickly approaching. With less than 60 days until residents vote to fill the seat of the late Congressman Murtha, we need your help!

This race is garnering national attention and pundits are saying that the 12th District this is the next Massachusetts.

Click here to make sure Massachusetts’ results don’t happen to Pennsylvania!

The Pennsylvania GOP is dedicated to smearing the legacy of service and leadership that Mr. Murtha had both as a Marine and a Congressman. Will you help us combat the GOP and continue Congressman Murtha’s ideals of peace, freedom and healthcare for all? Will you help us send our candidate, Mark Critz, to Washington?

Support from individuals is critically important in this election. Your contribution of $2000, $1000, $500, $250, $100, $50 or whatever you can will help us conduct crucial GOTV actions, voter communication and provide staff support to the other national organizations working in the 12th District.

Click here to fight the GOP smear machine and send a Democrat to Washington that will represent Pennsylvanian’s real values… not disillusioned right-wing rhetoric.