HARRISBURG, PA (February 9, 2022) – Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, issued the following statements regarding Governor Tom Wolf’s 2022-23 state budget proposal. ELPA operates four issue-based advocacy campaigns: Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA, Childhood […]
New Law Supports PA Students Facing Graduation Barriers
Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law on Wednesday to provide direct support to Pennsylvania youth experiencing educational instability, ensuring they have a clear pathway to high school graduation. Senate Bill 324 was introduced by Sen. Wayne Langherholc, R-Bedford County. It provides graduation planning and a smoother transfer of academic credits, among other resources for […]
Pittsburgh City Council passes lead safety bill aiming to curb potential lead exposure in children
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday adopted a lead safety ordinance that aims to prevent potential lead exposure for city residents, and children in particular.
What We See in the Shameful Trends on U.S. Maternal Health
Compared with its peers, the United States’ trajectory in maternal health has been shameful. Solving this worsening problem requires looking not just at the quality of care a woman receives but the entire environment around her — from her access to health care to the availability of food in her community.
Op-Ed: Public policy must change to protect maternal lives
Since 1980, Maternity Care Coalition has helped more than 145,000 families in Southeastern Pennsylvania. We focus on neighborhoods with high rates of poverty, infant mortality, health disparities, and changing immigration patterns. We work to ensure parents impacted by racial and social inequities in Southeastern Pennsylvania can birth with dignity, parent with autonomy and raise babies […]
Report: Pa. kids show elevated blood levels at more than twice the national rate | Wednesday Coffee
Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. An alarming 5 percent of Pennsylvania children have elevated levels of lead in their blood at more than two times the national rate, a newly released study has found. The research, from JAMA Pediatrics, a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association, puts Pennsylvania in the company of just six states nationwide […]
Lead Free Promise Project begins statewide battle against lead poisoning
The fight to end lead poisoning among children in Pennsylvania may happen with the Lead Free Promise Project. Dr. Jeffrey Martin, the chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, came up with the idea to help health care providers test children’s blood lead levels. “The purpose of the guide is to really be an […]
State announces plans to extend Medicaid coverage period for new, expecting moms
Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration announced its plans Thursday to extend the health care coverage period for new and expecting moms eligible for Medicaid. “This allows us to provide mothers the care and guidance they need through an important and delicate period in their lives without the additional fear or anxiety of getting an unaffordable bill,” said […]
Wolf Administration Announces Plans To Expand Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Period For Mothers
Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today joined leadership from the legislative Women’s Health Caucus, the Maternity Care Coalition, and the Pennsylvania Health Access Network to announce Pennsylvania’s intent to extend the postpartum coverage period for mothers eligible for Medicaid because of their pregnancy. This historic investment in the health and well-being of new mothers and […]
Women’s Health Caucus applauds DHS’s commitment to maternal health
HARRISBURG, Aug. 5 – Today, the Women’s Health Caucus offered its support to the Wolf administration and Human Services Department Secretary Meg Snead on their decision to extend medical assistance coverage to 12 months postpartum. Under the American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden, states have the option to extend Medicaid coverage […]