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In this Update:

• Health Care Policy Survey Results Are In!
• Resources Available to Help Pennsylvanians with Rising Energy Costs
• Join Me for an Open House on March 10
• Important Message for Unemployment Compensation Recipients
• Medical Assistance and CHIP Recipients Must Submit for Renewal
• Scam Warning: “Final Demand for Payment” Letters
• Share Your Thoughts on Public Transit
• Monthly Appropriations Update Details Lagging PIT Payments, Improving Rainy Day Fund
• National Cancer Prevention Month: Information on Risk and Research

Health Care Policy Survey Results Are In!

Thank you to everyone who filled out the health care policy survey I recently offered. Because of those responses, I have a better understanding of the health care reform policies you support.

Most notably, 64% of people support cutting bureaucratic red tape in the health insurance process. After all, doctors know better than insurance agents which treatments are best for patients. Knowing how important that is, my colleagues and I passed a bill last year that streamlines the process health insurance companies use to approve medical treatment. This will help patients receive critical care faster.

Also, 69% of respondents support reducing the cost of prescription drugs. This has been a priority of mine, and Senate Republicans passed a bill I sponsored last year to increase transparency and reduce prescription drug costs. Learn more here.

Click here for the full results of the survey.

Resources Available to Help Pennsylvanians with Rising Energy Costs

As energy costs continue to rise, please be aware that resources are available to minimize the financial burden and to assist with payments already owed.

Ratepayers can immediately lower their energy bills by switching to a competing electric and natural gas supplier using PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com. Read all terms thoroughly to understand if the contract includes a fixed or variable rate before making a decision.

Those who are having difficulty paying bills currently should call the utility company to work out a payment plan to avoid additional fees associated with the reconnection of service. Financial assistance is also available for many ratepayers through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). New applicants can apply for the program at www.compass.state.pa.us.

Of course, the most effective way for Pennsylvania to combat rising energy costs is for lawmakers to unleash our state’s energy potential, which is why Senate Republicans are prioritizing the advancement of policies that create greater energy independence.

In addition, the Senate advanced Senate Bill 1, which included a proposed constitutional amendment to prevent the executive branch from imposing onerous regulations like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative – a regulation that will not only cost 22,000 jobs, but also could nearly quadruple new electricity costs for consumers. While the General Assembly can’t undo this already imposed, costly executive action,  it can prevent Pennsylvania from being saddled with similar regulations in the future.

Join Me for an Open House on March 10

My staff and I will be available in person to talk about issues that are important to you during an open house on Friday, March 10, from 3-6 p.m. It will be held at my district office at 301 E. Main St. in Lititz.

Light refreshments will be available.

It is not necessary to RSVP for the open house, but anyone who has questions is encouraged to call the district office at 717-627-0036.

Important Message for Unemployment Compensation Recipients

Several important changes are being made to the way Unemployment Compensation benefits are paid onto prepaid debit cards.

Beginning on or about March 6, Money Network prepaid debit cards will be mailed to UC recipients who receive benefit payments via prepaid debit card. The Money Network prepaid debit card will replace the U.S. Bank card currently in use.

Recipients will need to learn how to activate the new money network prepaid debit card and ensure their address is correct, among other steps. PA Treasury explains the process here and provides an extensive Frequently Asked Questions page here.

Medical Assistance and CHIP Recipients Must Submit for Renewal

Starting April 1, Pennsylvania is required by federal law to review the eligibility of Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients every year, which means recipients must submit a renewal. Important information is posted here.

While the Department of Human Services (DHS) still sent renewal notices during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, most people were not disenrolled from Medicaid or CHIP because of a change in eligibility. DHS is returning to the normal eligibility processes.

No one will lose their health coverage without having an opportunity to complete a renewal, and renewals will be completed over 12 months. Renewals due in March 2023 will be the first affected by the end of continuous coverage. If a person is found ineligible for their current coverage or does not complete their renewal on time, their coverage will end.

Information about when a person’s annual renewal is scheduled can be found on COMPASS or on the myCOMPASS PA mobile app. Anyone can set up a COMPASS account at www.dhs.pa.gov/compass and, if they have a mobile device, can download the myCOMPASS PA mobile app for free.

Scam Warning: “Final Demand for Payment” Letters

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has issued a warning about scams designed to trick people into turning over sensitive data and personal information.

One recurring scam involves phony letters sent to taxpayers through the mail. The “Final Demand for Payment” letters threaten wage garnishment and the seizure of property or assets unless the recipient calls a phone number to satisfy a lien.

If you are concerned about a potentially fraudulent notice, visit the department’s webpage for verified contact information. This will help you ensure that you are speaking with a legitimate representative of the department.

And if you believe you are a victim of tax fraud or tax-related identity theft, contact the department’s Bureau of Fraud Detection and Analysis by emailing Ra-rvpadorfraud@pa.gov or calling 717-772-9297.

Share Your Thoughts on Public Transit

The South Central Transit Authority is offering a public survey in English and Spanish for both riders and non-riders to complete. The survey, which will be available until Friday, Feb. 24, will be used to improve the public transit services of Lancaster and Berks counties.

Please consider responding to the survey here.

Monthly Appropriations Update Details Lagging PIT Payments, Improving Rainy Day Fund

Each month, the Senate Appropriations Committee prepares a monthly update on the financial health of the Commonwealth. The most recent report includes information on:

• Lagging PIT payments resulting from a new revenue reporting system.
• Lower revenue projections for the upcoming budget.
• The improving health of the state’s Rainy Day Fund.

The full update, including the full monthly revenue report, is available here.

National Cancer Prevention Month: Information on Risk and Research

Every family will be touched by cancer at some point. National Cancer Prevention Month is a good time to consider information that could help prevent heartache.

The National Cancer Institute has comprehensive information on cancer prevention, risk factors, the role of genetics, and the latest research into causes and prevention.

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