In Pennsylvania, over 153,000 children are uninsured, the highest rate in a decade, primarily due to rising costs and policy changes. A report highlights socioeconomic factors affecting coverage, with significant disparities among counties. Legislative changes could worsen this situation, particularly for Medicaid. Urgent public health implications arise from uninsured children's lack of preventive care.
Political uncertainty at the federal level complicates budgeting for state and local governments, reliant on federal funding. Potential cuts to essential programs necessitate exploring new revenue sources, such as legalizing adult use cannabis, despite concerns over “sin” taxes.
The Pennsylvania House and Senate are now in the full swing of budget negotiations. Bills will be forthcoming in both Chambers that will set forth the state budget for the…