(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

At the February 24 work session, Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp spoke about a future plan that has stemmed from the past year’s dealing with the coronavirus pandemic–one that could change the future of healthcare in Beaver County.

“Seven counties in the Southwestern region–Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, and Greene counties–met on a regional call to discuss a potential regional department of health.”, Camp said. “It was a very good and informal meeting run by Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan out of Washington County.”

Pennsylvania currently has six counties along with four municipalities–including Allegheny County–that have independent health departments that work in conjunction, but not full submitting, with the State DOH.

However, despite the early good talks, Camp said that this process will take some time.

“It’s just the beginning of the discussions,” he said, “and I think we’re very far out from any conclusion.” Camp cited the recent efforts by Delaware County to obtain their own health department, mentioning how they are three years into the process without a conclusion of their own.

(Slippery Rock Twp., Pa.) A 20-year-old Moon Twp. man is in trouble with state police again. Trevonn Carter is being charged with Disorderly conduct and using obscene Language and Gestures by Pa State Police in Butler.

State Troopers are reporting that during an incident that took place on February 10, 2021 on South Rock Drive Carter with intent to cause substantial harm or serious inconvenience, annoyance or alarm recklessly created a risk by using obscene language and made an obscene gesture which is in violation of section 5503.

The release stated that Carter was harassing the victim by yelling his name and taking pictures of his truck in regard to a previous incident.  When two Troopers spoke with Carter, he began yelling and swearing at the Troopers and called them racist.

Carter was previously charged earlier this month by Pa State Police in Butler with cruelty to animals for kicking a dog that was recorded on video.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa City Council discussed road improvements  that are necessary the replacement of street lights in the downtown area  with ACT 47 coordinator Debbie Grass and Engineer Ron Rizzo at last night’s work session.   The city is going to apply for a grant to  improve the  area where gas stations and a dry cleaners were part of the eastern gateway   downtown. Ms. Grass told  the  council that the application has to be prepared . according to specifications.

(File Photo)

(Center Twp., Pa.) Marcella Alaica, 73 of Center Township ‘s cause of death  following a fire in her home  was  due to thermal and inhalation injuries  The fire occurred. Wednesday   morning. , According to Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer the ,cause of death was accidental.

Keystone State News Connection

Survey: Out-of Pocket Costs a Major Health Concern

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new survey shows Pennsylvanians are worried they can’t afford the high out-of-pocket costs for health care, and they want relief.

The survey, by Consumers for Quality Care, said Americans believe the pandemic has exposed serious flaws in the healthcare system, even though it’s done a good job getting the country through a critical time.

More than one in ten Pennsylvanians pays at least 10% of their income on insurance premiums, and 6% spend that much or more on out-of-pocket costs, like co-pays and deductibles.

Antoinette Kraus, director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, said it may prevent people from seeking the care they need when a routine physical finds a potential problem.

“Then I need to get some diagnostic testing and I have a high out-of-pocket expense, so I delay that further care, and I end up sicker and costlier down the road,” Kraus explained.

She added with so many people out of work because of COVID-19, more are delaying routine and follow-up medical visits out of concern for the high cost of care.

Jason Resendez, board member at Consumers for Quality Care, noted the survey found a large majority of voters nationwide want Congress to make healthcare cost a top priority.

“The fact that 67% of consumers said Congress needs to focus on controlling costs, I think that’s a pretty big message for policymakers to hear right now, in the midst of this pandemic,” Resendez contended.

He emphasized more than 90% of voters agree deductibles should be low enough to not be a barrier to accessing healthcare.

Kraus pointed out the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan addresses healthcare costs though the Affordable Care Act, by extending assistance for premiums in the form of tax credits. But she thinks more needs to be done.

“We need to look at the underlying cost of care, and also figuring out ways to help people who are struggling with out-of-pocket expenses,” Kraus concluded.

To help policymakers address these concerns, Consumers for Quality Care has issued a Negotiator’s Guide to Health Care Reform.

HARRISBURG, PA,  Today, Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) introduced bipartisan legislation to legalize adult use marijuana in Pennsylvania. The bill prioritizes safety, community reinvestment, social and economic equity, agriculture, and creates vital tax revenue streams for the Commonwealth.

“I’m proud to join my Republican colleague and introduce this historic, bipartisan bill to legalize marijuana,” said Senator Sharif Street. “In close collaboration with Senator Laughlin, key community groups and stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth, we developed a bill that will benefit communities across the Commonwealth. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature and with the Administration to build support for this critical legislation that aims to make Pennsylvania’s cannabis market the most diverse and inclusive in the country while enabling those who have been harmed by prohibition to seal their records and rebuild their lives.”
“While my colleague Senator Street and I come from different political parties, we see a bipartisan way forward on marijuana legalization that is premised on safety and social equity,” said State Senator Dan Laughlin. “As the marijuana movement reaches Pennsylvania, legalization must be done the right way. This bill ensures a legalized market in the Commonwealth is implemented safely and responsibly, with a thoughtful approach that provides opportunities to medical and recreational consumers, farmers, and small, medium and minority-owned businesses.”

Currently, the legal cannabis industry employs approximately 250,000 Americans and supports over 300,000 indirect jobs and full-time workers. The cannabis industry has experienced a 100 percent growth rate over the last four years and projects, with proper reform, a million more jobs can be created by 2025.

Further, this past election cycle showed that American attitudes toward cannabis have been transformed and are more mainstream than ever. In November 2020, cannabis experienced a tidal wave of legislative wins, making recreational marijuana legal now in 15 states and approved for medical use virtually nationwide. With New Jersey passing marijuana legalization this week and New York expected to legalize marijuana in their upcoming budget session, Pennsylvania is at risk of losing thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue to neighboring states.

Polling indicates that nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvanians support adult use marijuana legalization. According to testimony provided by the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office, adult-use marijuana legalization can generate between $400 million to $1 billion of new tax revenue for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Laughlin-Street Bipartisan Adult Use Cannabis Legalization Bill prioritizes safety, social and economic equity and, engages Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry. Their proposal ensures the vitality of Pennsylvania’s world-class medical marijuana industry while creating thousands of jobs and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue for the Commonwealth.

Safe and Legal:
• Sets the minimum marijuana consumption age at 21 years old; mandates age
verification for every purchase.
• Bans any marketing directed toward children and provides the appropriate deterrence
to keep marijuana out of the hands of anyone under 21 years old.
• Empowers law enforcement with the means to adjudicate driving under the influence, and, to pursue and eradicate an illicit market.
• Provides clarity and consistency for workplace rules regarding marijuana use for all
those operating in good faith and protects the Second Amendment rights of all
Pennsylvanians.

Social and Economic Equity:
• Expunges non-violent marijuana convictions and decriminalizes marijuana up to a
certain limit.
• Creates licenses for social and economic equity applicants and establishes that the
majority of new licensees are granted to social and economic applicants.
• Leverages Pennsylvania’s existing medical marijuana licensees to fulfill demand on an enhanced timetable while providing social and economic equity licensees the capital and know-how to succeed.
• Implements a Business Development Fund, administered by the Commonwealth
Financing Authority, to support loans, grants, and studies.
• Allows limited Home Grow for Patients

Agricultural Engagement:
• Authorizes farmers and craft growers across the Commonwealth to engage in the
cultivation of marijuana.
• Through established demand, enables any applicant who wants a license to get a license to cultivate marijuana in a manner that is safe and regulated.

New Tax Revenue and Jobs:
• The Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office projects that marijuana legalization can
generate between $400 million to $1 billion of new tax revenue for the Commonwealth.
• The proposal will create thousands of new jobs.

(File Photo)

Story  by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Center Twp., Pa.) Fire crews were called to the scene of a residential structural fire Wednesday morning in Center Twp., Beaver County.  Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer has confirmed that there was a fatality  in this morning’s fire in Center Township.  Gabauer said he will release more information when it becomes available.  The one story ranch style home located in the 400 block of Center Grange Road suffered extensive damage. It’s being reported that a husband and wife lived in the home and the husband was able to make it out safely with minor injuries. The wife was reported to have been rescued by first responders and they were not able to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Crews were still on scene, early this afternoon according to Center Twp. Fire Chief Bill Brucker