Welcome to a special edition of Northeast Notes. As the flowers start to bloom and the weather gets warmer, the General Assembly starts in-depth state budget deliberations and negotiations. The budget needs to be passed by June 30. Please read below or watch the video for an update on this important spending plan.

As always, check out the latest news and information on my Web site, www.senatorstack.com

Misguided Budget Proposal Jeopardizes Citizens' Health

Pennsylvania is experiencing an unprecedented budget year. Our deficit is projected to grow to $3 billion, so we’re going to have to make tough choices when we consider our spending plan for 2009-10.

These tough economic times require both Democrats and Republicans to work together. Tough decisions have to be made, and they should be made with input from a wide variety of groups. Unfortunately, the budget plan that the Pennsylvania Senate Republicans passed earlier this week was not created through an open process, excluded many groups from providing input, and could jeopardize the health of millions of Pennsylvanians.

Prior to the vote, the Senate Democrats all expressed our grave concerns for the deep cuts in the Republican spending plan. We unanimously voted against the legislation; however, because the Republicans have a clear majority of members, the measure passed 30-20 along party lines. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

This budget proposal counters the spending plan that Gov. Ed Rendell announced in February. His budget also makes numerous cuts to services too, which is expected during these dire economic times. The Republican plan, though, risks Pennsylvania’s chances at receiving much-needed federal stimulus funding. Instead of investing in our future, this budget is cutting to our demise.

It is irresponsible to make cuts to certain areas, especially when they concern the health of Pennsylvanians.

Specifically, the health care-acquired infection portion of the Prescription for Pennsylvania has been completely eliminated. This funding, which was allotted in Gov. Rendell’s budget proposal, would help health care facilities put preventative measures in place to lower patients’ risks of getting an infection at these facilities.

Health care-acquired infections only result in more lengthy hospital stays, which take a toll on patients, who remain unable to work. If they are unable to work, they may not get a paycheck and their employer loses out on a worker. If that patient doesn’t have health care, then the bill goes to the taxpayers. This funding is beneficial to taxpayers who would otherwise have to pay for a hospital’s mistake.

Additionally, the Republicans’ budget calls for multiple cuts for Medical Assistance programs, which jeopardize Pennsylvania’s potential for receiving $4 billion in Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) stimulus funds.

By cutting MA programs, we are cutting off a necessary service to our lower income, special needs and elderly citizens.

The Republicans also called for $279.5 million in cuts to hospital disproportionate share payments. These disproportionate share payments couldn’t come at a worse time. Hospitals that serve a large Medical Assistance population, such as Northeastern Hospital and Einstein, need more funding, not less.

While the governor's budget proposal calls for increasing the state funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to $94.6 million, the Republican budget scales it back to last year's funding level of $86.9 million.

If funding for CHIP does not increase, 24,000 children will be denied health insurance coverage.

There is simply no excuse for risking the health of any Pennsylvanian, and especially our children.

We need to go back to the drawing board and find a reasonable way to balance the state’s spending plan.