Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

As Director of Community and Government Affairs for Sacred Heart Hospital, I have
been point person for our efforts to improve community health. With my colleagues at
Lehigh Valley Health Care Network, St. Luke's University Health Network, Good
Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, Kidspeace and the Rider Pool Trust, I am proud of
our work to create programs to make our region healthier.
I think most of us can agree that the Lehigh Valley has tremendous hospitals, doctors
and health care options to care for us when we become ill. Regrettably, statistics prove
that our community suffers from a high rate of illness, much of which is preventable.
With my professional experience and background, I will take a leadership role on health
care as your next State Representative. And I will focus on three specific issues:
1)
People go to work, care for their children and play by the rules every day should
be able to go to the doctor. This is a fundamental right as an American, but the
State has shamefully failed to help provide them access to health care. This is in
spite of the fact that it
already funded by the federal government
. I will
aggressively push the State to accept federal money to expand access to health
insurance for over 650,000 working Pennsylvanians.
2)
When our daughters were born, Jen and I knew that they were in great hands.
They received dozens of screenings at birth to check for an array of ailments that
are treatable if caught early. Although most newborns receive these screenings,
Pennsylvania only
requires
that six are performed. This is in spite of the fact
that the top pediatricians in the state recommend that we screen for 31 illnesses.
I will introduce legislation that will mandate that children born in Pennsylvania
be screened for all 31 pediatrician-recommended diseases.
3)
As a member of City Council, I have seen the amazing work performed by the
Allentown Health Bureau. They immunize children and the elderly, test for HIV,
ensure that food served in our restaurants is safe, remediate lead paint in older
homes, screen for cancer and perform countless other acts. However their
funding from the state is reduced every year. I will continue to support our
Public Health departments and fight for every dollar needed to make our
community healthier.

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