June is budget season at the state Capitol. Lawmakers have a constitutional deadline of June 30 to pass a spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) and the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA) track many elements of the budget de

Much has changed in healthcare over the past half century, from rising costs to incredible advancements in technology and treatments.  Throughout these changes, the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA) has never wavered in its mission to continue Jesus’s healing ministry an

Catholics have been living and worshipping in Pennsylvania since William Penn launched his “Holy Experiment” here in the 18th century. Every small town and large city bears the influence of Catholic culture. Cathedral spires are historic landmarks, Catholic hospitals have cared for ge

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the state budget by the constitutional deadline, June 30. Over the Fourth of July weekend, they passed the necessary fiscal code bill that outlines the revenue to pay for it. Although not exactly on time, this state budget was passed earlier th

On Friday evening, October 9, 2009, Governor Ed Rendell signed a $27.8 billion budget that was 101 days overdue.  The plan spends $500 million less than last year and does not include any broad-based tax increases. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) has been following the budg

As the health care reform debate continues many people are asking provocative questions.  They should.  Health care reform deserves an in depth, open minded and civil discussion of all points of view. Two questions Catholics might consider: Why should we worry about health care; and w

Representing Pennsylvania’s Catholic hospitals and health systems, the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA) joined the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and others at a press conference today.   The concerned organizations presented a petit

William Batz, who has a doctorate in philosophy and is the secretary for social concerns at the Diocese of Pittsburgh, recently answered questions from the Pittsburgh Catholic on the Obama administration's announcement that it would begin a process to rescind Health and Human Services

Never say “never.” We’ve all heard that one before. Religious liberty was once sacrosanct in the public policy debate. Many laws included a conscience exception to preserve constitutional integrity. It was absurd to think a law would compel a person to do something a

In Harrisburg, a legislative mandate for hospitals to provide emergency contraception (EC) to victims of sexual assault is being considered. This drug treatment is confusing. How does it work? Where does the Catholic Church stand? Why should citizens care? EC is a high dose of birth c