Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys and Pennie Executive Director Devon Trolley this week discussed the importance of Medicaid in providing health care coverage to millions of Pennsylvanians amid proposed federal cuts to the program — which would kick more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians off their health insurance.

More than three million Pennsylvanians – or 1 in 4 people – get their health care coverage through Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania. With this coverage, Pennsylvanians can see a doctor, fill prescriptions and access preventive services like health screenings. This coverage is vital to helping people stay healthy, take care of their families and contribute to our economy.

“All of us know someone — whether its ourselves, a friend, loved one, or a neighbor — who Medicaid has helped,” Arkoosh said. “But no matter how you personally get your health care coverage, Medicaid is vital to protecting the health of your community. Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid would be devastating not only for those who would lose their health coverage, but for all of us who would face the real life consequences of crowded emergency departments, increases in the cost of health insurance, and the catastrophic effects on economies and health systems in rural areas.”

More than 300,000 Pennsylvanians will lose access to Medicaid due to:

• New eligibility requirements.

• Increased bureaucratic paperwork because of proposed six-month re-determinations, whether eligibility is determined every six months instead of every year.

• New work reporting requirements, which will require more staff and new IT infrastructure.

The bill also proposes other federal cuts that will further destabilize our health care infrastructure and threaten the closure of hospitals, especially in our rural communities. Half of Pennsylvania’s 65 hospitals serving rural communities operate at a deficit, struggling to survive, and relying significantly on Medicaid to cover the cost of providing care.

“The Congressional Republicans’ bill would have devastating consequences for Pennsylvanians. From unaffordable health care costs to a higher number of uninsured individuals seeking uncompensated care through our hospital systems, this bill should concern every one of us.” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys.

As of today, Congressional Republicans’ bill needs to pass the U.S. Senate and be signed into law. There are no changes to Medicaid.

Lawrence confirmed as Pa.’s Consumer Advocate

Attorney General Dave Sunday this week announced that the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Darryl Lawrence to serve as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate.

Lawrence has been serving as interim Consumer Advocate since Feb. 4, where he has been representing Commonwealth consumers in public utility service quality and pricing matters. Lawrence has been with the Office of Consumer Advocate since June 2005 and previously held the position of Senior Assistant Consumer Advocate for the office.

“I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed my appointment of Darryl Lawrence as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate, and am confident that Darryl will serve Pennsylvanians well in that capacity,” Sunday said. “Darryl dedicated his career to advocating on behalf of Pennsylvanians who may not have a voice in the regulatory, judicial, and legislative processes attached to public utilities. He has proven himself as an experienced, tough, fair, and honest advocate.”

The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate was established by the General Assembly in 1976 to serve as the legal representative for all utility ratepayers in the Commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate is housed in the Office of Attorney General, but functions independently. The Office of Consumer Advocate has discretion and authority to intervene in litigation on its own behalf, and has actively participated in matters before the Pennsylvania Utility Commission and in state and federal courts.

Public utilities include electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and telecom companies under either Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission jurisdiction.

PUC Chairman confirmed for second term

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission this week thanked the State Senate for unanimously confirming the reappointment of Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank to a second term as Commissioner and expressed appreciation to Governor Josh Shapiro for submitting the nomination.

Chairman DeFrank was confirmed on June 4, by the Senate and will continue serving as chairman of the commission. His new term extends through April 1, 2030.

“I’m honored by the confidence shown by Governor Shapiro and the Senate,” DeFrank said. “At a time of fast-moving change across our energy and utility systems — from rising demand and extreme weather to cyber-security and infrastructure modernization — the Commission’s mission remains clear: ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable service for every Pennsylvanian.”

DeFrank was sworn in immediately following his confirmation.

NIL legislation to protect student athletes to be introduced

Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper, R-Bedford/Fulton, and Rep. Perry Stambaugh, R-Perry/Juniata, this week announced they will soon introduce legislation to provide protections for student-athletes receiving compensation for the use their name, image and likeness (NIL).

While a case wending through federal courts will likely expand the NIL universe, no state legal structure exists. This leaves compensated student-athletes vulnerable to poor financial decisions and without recourse if they should become injured during their career.

“NIL is one of the most dynamic and evolving spaces in the national sports market that has become a life-changing positive for many student-athletes and families,” Topper said. “As the NIL landscape continues to advance at the federal level, it is appropriate for state legal supplements to ensure student-athletes are protected at a vulnerable time in their lives.”

“Our legislation will ensure that students have the financial education and protection available to safeguard their NIL assets while giving them the opportunity to save NIL earnings should they become injured or otherwise incapable of pursuing their athletic career.”

According to the recently filed co-sponsorship memo in advance of the introduction of formal legislation, the Topper-Stambaugh NIL proposal would require institutions of higher education to offer all student-athletes the option to place a portion of their revenue sharing or NIL earnings into trust accounts. The institutions may partner with established financial firms experienced in educational trust management to minimize administrative overhead. The accounts would have the following features:

• Funds become fully accessible upon graduation or departure from the university.

• Limited hardship withdrawals permitted with appropriate oversight.

• Professional investment management with transparent reporting.

• Opt-in structure that preserves athlete autonomy while encouraging responsible financial planning.

In addition, colleges and universities would be mandated to provide financial literacy education and resources to their student-athletes.

“In the new ‘Wild, Wild West’ of collegiate athletics that NIL has spawned, helping protect student-athletes from financial harm or exploitation is a solid first step states should take,” Stambaugh said. “As the landscape surrounding NIL evolves, Pennsylvania will be studying changes and enacting policies to ensure our colleges and universities can remain competitive.”

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

By Jeff Kupfer

Pennsylvania has long played a central role in powering America. Today, the Commonwealth stands ready to lead once again—this time by helping to shape the future of clean hydrogen, a critical technology for delivering a cleaner, more sustainable future.

But that opportunity is now at risk. The recently passed House tax bill threatens to derail progress by abruptly phasing out many clean energy technology credits – including the Section 45V tax credit for clean hydrogen. Along with other credits, 45V has helped attract private investment, fuel innovation, and lay the groundwork for cutting-edge research and manufacturing jobs.

These tax incentives are building blocks for achieving American energy dominance and keeping energy affordable and reliable.

The House bill terminates Section 45V at the end of 2025 – eight years earlier than originally planned. Such a quick end to the incentive would not only slow progress toward a more diversified energy future but would also risk ceding ground to overseas rivals at a time when the country needs to be competitive and forward-looking.

This especially matters to Pennsylvania, which is uniquely positioned to benefit from 45V.

Energy workers already make up 4.6 percent of the state’s workforce, and the Commonwealth was the only state to secure two of the seven federally funded hydrogen hub contracts. The planned eastern Pennsylvania hydrogen hub – the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) – aims to create and retain more than 20,000 well-paying jobs, including union jobs, and to generate a new talent pipeline in this emerging energy sector.

Hydrogen stands out as a commonsense, bipartisan solution. It’s a versatile energy source with near-zero emissions.

By pairing Pennsylvania’s abundant natural gas resources with growing carbon capture technology investments, the state can be at the forefront of developing what has been labeled “blue hydrogen.” That product will reduce emissions in heavy industrial sectors while also spurring economic growth. It’s a win-win.

This isn’t just speculation. According to a report from Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), an estimated 9.8 million metric tons per year of blue hydrogen capacity is in development across the United States. To highlight the scale, that amount of hydrogen – if used solely for electricity production – could power over 18 million homes. CRES calculates that the economic activity associated with blue hydrogen would generate billions in federal, state, and local tax revenue and over $12 billion in annual GDP.

Hydrogen projects can be a real differentiator, offering economic opportunities and income security for thousands of families in states like Pennsylvania. While reports that the administration could seek to cut down the number of hubs may put some projects at risk, preserving the Section 45V clean hydrogen production tax credit ensures that these regional centers of innovation, and their host states won’t lose momentum.

Realizing the potential of hydrogen will require upfront investments. Cutting the 45V prematurely removes the certainty businesses need to make these long-term bets. This is especially important because the global race on hydrogen is already in full swing.

China is currently the world’s leading hydrogen producer and is building an early lead in “green hydrogen” technologies. Russia and Saudi Arabia have also made key hydrogen commitments. If Congress rolls back support for clean hydrogen, we risk ceding our competitive edge.

The House officially named its tax package “The One Big Beautiful Bill.” There are many worthy provisions in that legislation, but the treatment of 45V and other clean energy tax credits is not one of them. As the Senate takes up the measure, let’s hope that our leaders recognize what’s at stake – and acts before the opportunity slips away.

Jeff Kupfer is a former acting deputy secretary of energy in the George W. Bush administration, is the president of ConservAmerica and an adjunct professor of policy at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College.