LEG REG REVIEW is a periodic newsletter produced by PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES, a professional lobbying and consultant firm located near the State Capitol. It contains news on the legislative and regulatory scene in Pennsylvania that may be of interest to the Insurance and Business Communities. It is a free member benefit for those who are members of the Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters (PAHU) or Manufacturers Association of South Central PA (MASCPA). Subscription information may be obtained by contacting PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES at 717/728-1217 FAX 717/728-1164 or e-mail to xenobun@aol.com. Please email jtrout2792@aol.com supplying both your name and e-mail address if you wish to be removed from this list.
INSURANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS NAMED
Both the House and Senate have finalized their membership list for the committees which oversee insurance and financial services. In the Senate, the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee handles both banks and insurance while the House has split responsibilities between Insurance and Commerce Committees. Republicans are the Majority Chairs in both House and Senate.
SENATE BANKING & INSURANCE COMMITTEE
Republicans
Chairman Don White (Indiana)
Members: Kim Ward (Luzerne); Pat Browne (Lehigh); Jake Corman (Centre); Jane Earl (Erie); Stewart Greenleaf (Montgomery); Tom Rafferty (Montgomery); Pat Vance (Cumberland)
Democrats
Chairman Mike Stack (Phila.)
Members: Lisa Boscola (Northampton); Larry Farnese (Phila.); Christine Tartaglione (Phila.); Anthony Williams (Phila.)
HOUSE INSURANCE COMMITTEE
Republicans
Chairman Nicholas Micozzie (Delaware)
Members: Scott Boyd (Lancaster); Gary Day (Berks); Bob Godshall (Montgomery); Glen Grell (Cumberland); Seth Grove (York); C. Adam Harris (Juniata); Tom Killion (Delaware); Marguerite Quinn (Bucks); Brad Roae (Crawford); Curt Schroder (Chester); Justin Simmons (Lehigh); Curtis Sonney (Erie); Mike Tobash (Schuylkill); Katherine Watson (Bucks)
Democrats
Chairman Tony DeLuca (Allegheny)
Members: Bryan Barbin (Cambria); Brendan Boyle (Montgomery); Dom Costa (Allegheny); Florinda Fabrezio (Erie); Nick Kotik (Allegheny); Robert Matzie (Allegheny/Beaver); Eddie Day Pashinsky (Luzerne); Josh Shapiro (Montgomery); Matthew Smith (Allegheny)
Those more focused on financial services than insurance will note that the two House Commerce Committee Chairs are unchanged except that the Republicans are now in charge of that committee. Majority Chair is Dick Hess (Bedford) and Minority Chair is Peter Daley (Fayette). Other committees of interest to those in the Workers’ Compensation insurance market are the Senate Labor & Industry Committee chaired by John Gordner (Columbia) for the Republicans and Christine Tartaglione (Phila.) as Democratic (Minority) Chair. The House Labor Relations Committee is chaired by Republican Ron Miller (York) and Democrat (Minority) Bill Keller (Phila.)
Those interested in Crop Insurance will take note that both the Majority and Minority Chairs of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs have changed with former Chair Mike Brubaker becoming Finance Committee Chair and the death of former Senator Michael O’Pake on the Democratic side. New Chairs are Senator Elder Vogel (R-Lawrence) and Minority Chairman Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton). House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee Majority Chair is Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny/Washington) while the new Minority Chair is Rep. Joseph Petrarca (D-Westmoreland).
RENDELL COMMITTEE ISSUES FINAL EXCHANGE REPORT
The Rendell Administration committee tasked with developing recommendations on how to implement parts of the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act in Pennsylvania has done so. These suggestions are not binding on the Corbett Administration. Link to text follows below:
CORBETT ADMINISTRATION UPDATE
- Guy Ciarrocchi, 46, will serve as Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley. Ciarrocchi was Executive Director of the PA Coalition of Public Charter Schools and previously was PA U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach’s (R-6th) Chief of Staff.
- Another Deputy Chief of Staff is Luke Bernstein, who had previously worked for former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum.
CORRECTION: Last week’s Leg Reg Review posted Andrew Dinniman as hailing from Delaware County. He of course actually represents constituents in Chester and Montgomery Counties.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATES SESSION SCHEDULE for First Half 2011
January 24, 25, 26
February 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 28
March 1, 2, 7, 8, 9
April (4 House only) 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, (25 House non-voting) 26, 27
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, (25 House only)
June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30
ITEMS TO NOTE
· The vote last week by congressional House Republicans to repeal the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA) went according to party lines per the vote by the Pennsylvania delegation to the U.S. House. All PA Democrats voted against repealing it including two who had voted against original passage, Jason Altmire from Allegheny County and Tim Holden from central PA. All Republican Members of Congress voted for repeal.
· NAHU convenes national Capitol Conference for health insurance brokers to discuss PPACA and other reform issues in Washington, DC February 13-16. In addition to legislative appointments, there are a number of workshops on the Exchanges and other current topics. Details; www.nahu.org
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