Recent Press Releases

Blues’ Six-Month Extension on adultBasic Funding a Delay Tactic, Not a Solution

HARRISBURG, PA (July 29, 2010) - Pennsylvania’s adultBasic health insurance program remains in jeopardy, despite promises from the state’s four Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies to continue funding the program through June 2011.

Blues’ Surpluses Grow, as Providers Refuse to Continue Contributions to adultBasic

HARRISBURG, PA (July 28, 2010) - Nearly 46,000 Pennsylvanians enrolled in adultBasic could lose their health coverage next year if an agreement with the state’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield providers is not renewed, according to a new report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) and the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN).

Media Statement on Budget Agreement

HARRISBURG, PA (June 29, 2010) - While PBPC was pleased that the Legislature is agreeing to approve a severance tax on natural gas production, we are concerned that this budget agreement does not adequately address the fiscal challenges facing Pennsylvania.

State Must Raise Revenue to Save Jobs, Preserve Critical Services After Congress Stalls on FMAP Funding

HARRISBURG, PA (June 28, 2010) – A state budget coalition called on Pennsylvania lawmakers today to enact a budget that preserves jobs and protects the fragile economic recovery.

Lawmakers Shouldn’t ‘Give Away the Store’ With Industry-Friendly Severance Tax Exemptions

HARRISBURG, PA (June 24, 2010) – If the Pennsylvania General Assembly listens to the natural gas industry, two-thirds of the gas extracted from a typical Marcellus Shale well will be exempted from a state severance tax, a Pennsylvania think tank warned today.

Severance Tax Delay Costs Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA (June 3, 2010) - By not having a natural gas severance tax, Pennsylvania has lost more than $54 million since last October that could have funded vital state services including education and health care, as well as drilling-related environmental and local costs.

Statement on Gas Industry-Financed Report on Marcellus Shale's Economic Impact

HARRISBURG, PA (May 25, 2010) - The natural gas industry released an updated report today on the economic impact of natural gas production in the Marcellus Shale. The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center issued the following response:

A Memo to Editorial Page Editors and Columnists on the State Budget

Now that the dust has settled after Tuesday’s primary elections, the Pennsylvania General Assembly will turn its attention back to the state budget. On Friday, May 21, the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center hosted a conference call with editorial page editors and columnists on the state budget. This memo summarizes the presentation that PBPC Director Sharon Ward made during that call.