U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, a Democratic candidate for governor, is criticizing Gov. Tom Corbett’s Medicaid plan.
Corbett announced last week that he’d accept Obamacare funds for Medicaid, provided the federal government allows him to require able-bodied people to actively seek work and some recipients to have co-pays. The governor wants to use federal money to provide private coverage to the working poor.
Schwartz said 500,000 Pennsylvanians need Medicaid coverage now.
“It’s time for a different approach,” she said. “As governor, I would move forward with a common-sense plan to ensure access to affordable quality health coverage to all Pennsylvanians by doing three things. One, Medicaid expansion that is accessible for hard-working Pennsylvanians; two, creating a Pennsylvania-run health insurance public-private marketplace; and three, working to implement delivery-system reforms to bring down the cost for both consumers and taxpayers.”
Corbett is firing back at Schwartz and Democratic state Sen. Jim Ferlo on energy policy. Schwartz has proposed a tax of 5 percent on natural gas drilling and wants to use the money to invest in education and transportation. Ferlo wants a moratorium on natural gas drilling.
Mike Barley, Corbett’s campaign manager, said. “Unfortunately, our liberal opponents like Allyson Schwartz have subscribed to an anti-energy agenda with extreme proposals to raise taxes, increase regulations or just ban further natural gas production. They continue to prove that they will side with their own radical special interest friends over the people of Pennsylvania.”
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Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania State Council of Sheet Metal Workers has endorsed Schwartz. Schwartz has sided with the union on issues such as the right to organize, secure retirement options and a fair and livable wage.
“Of all the candidates running for governor, Allyson Schwartz is far and away the most effective advocate for working families across the state of Pennsylvania,” said Warren Faust, business manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 44 and recording secretary of the Pennsylvania State Council of Sheet Metal Workers.
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Congressional candidate Margolies and state Sen. Anthony Williams, a likely Democratic candidate for mayor in 2015, on Sunday attended the Matryoshka Festival in Bensalem.
When she previously served in Congress, Margolies was a member of the Small Business Committee.
“I’ve been listening to this community,” she said of Russian-Americans, “and I’d like to get funding for small businesses to create jobs and to build a community center.”
The day included music, dancing, food, drink, games, crafts, a flea market, pony rides, Moonbounces, face painting and tattoos for kids.
“This is a wonderful day,” Williams said, “and we will work to create a community center.” ••
