Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf participated in a virtual press conference today with U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvanian health experts and a constituent affected by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to discuss what’s at stake for the 5.5 million Pennsylvanians with pre-existing conditions and nearly one million more who could lose their coverage—in the middle of a pandemic—if the Supreme Court were to overturn the ACA.

“It’s imperative that we do everything in our power to protect the ACA and the millions of Pennsylvanians who have access to health care because of it, especially during a pandemic,” Gov. Wolf said. “If the Supreme Court were to dismantle or eliminate the ACA, millions of people would lose protections that are quite literally life-saving and with the unknown long-term health implications of COVID-19, now is the time to expand coverage, not limit or eliminate it.”

“President Trump and Senator McConnell are rushing to confirm a Supreme Court Justice who will back their lawsuit to destroy the Affordable Care Act, kicking 23 million people off their health insurance, ending protections for 135 million people with pre-existing conditions and raising costs for millions more, in the middle of a pandemic,” Sen. Casey said. “If confirmed, Judge Amy Coney Barrett will almost certainly vote to overturn the ACA, which will adversely impact working families, children and seniors.

“If Republicans successfully sabotage the ACA, insurers could deny coverage to people who recover from COVID-19 but face long-term medical consequences. In the middle of a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 210,000 Americans, this is indefensible. I’m going to keep fighting every day to protect Americans’ health care and keep the Affordable Care Act as the law of the land.”

Gov. Wolf and Sen. Casey were joined by health professionals from Community Health Net, with Erie-area locations that provide a full range of health care services. The organization has received recognition from the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its innovative approach in developing an integrated service network and expansion among community partners. Community Health Net provides access to health care for all area residents, including the medically underserved and uninsured populations.

Andrea Kobylinski, mother to 10-year-old Nicholas, who has pre-existing conditions that require extensive care, spoke about how losing ACA benefits such as coverage for pre-existing conditions, not having yearly or lifetime limits, and being able to maintain Nicholas on her family insurance past high school graduation is essential to his ongoing treatment, particularly as he transitions to adulthood.

“When the ACA came around, I saw it as being for other people,” said Kobylinski. “When we received Nicholas’s diagnosis, all of a sudden it meant a lot to me. It meant everything. Having affordable, quality health care is the foundation for his future. It is my hope that compassionate hearts will prevail on the Supreme Court.”

“Health care coverage for every Pennsylvanian is necessary to protect the lives of individuals and families, but it also protects communities,” Gov. Wolf said. “When people have access to health care coverage, they are more likely to have access to preventive care to stay healthy, and more likely to receive care quickly when they are sick. Ensuring that people have access to medical care – and that medical care is affordable – is the duty of government at all times, but it is especially vital when our world is fighting a pandemic that is still presenting us with new challenges every day. I will do everything I can to protect health care coverage for all Pennsylvanians.”

Last week, Gov. Wolf introduced health care reforms to address the needs of Pennsylvanians physical and behavioral health and the social determinants of health that impact access and affordability. These reforms will be expanded as the three main components of the plan are implemented. They include an Interagency Health Reform Council (IHRC), established with an executive order the governor signed at the press conference last week; Regional Accountable Health Councils (RAHCs) to collectively develop regional transformation plans – built on community needs assessments – to reduce disparities, address social determinants of health, and align value-based purchasing arrangements; and a Health Value Commission charged with keeping all payors and providers accountable for health care cost growth, to provide the long-term affordability and sustainability of our health care system, and to promote whole-person care.

On Oct. 1, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a decision in the litigation involving the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority’s Request for Proposals process for a new operating agreement. In the decision, the Court determined that the Authority’s July 2015 7-3 vote was a passing vote, which effectively awarded the new operating agreement to Carload Express, Inc. Six board members had abstained from the vote to avoid any appearance of bias in the process but were physically present in the meeting room. The Court’s decision clarifies the voting standard required of municipal authorities within this Commonwealth under the Municipality Authorities Act.  While the statute literally states that action may be taken by the vote of a majority of the “members present,” the Court held that pre-1937 common law requires that only those members actually voting be treated as “present.”

In light of this decision, the Joint Rail Authority recognizes that the July 8, 2015 vote awarded of the operating agreement to Carload Express. The Authority does, however, also recognize that Phase 2 proposer and current rail operator, Susquehanna Union Railroad Company (“SURC”), has asserted counterclaims addressed to the alleged conduct of certain former Authority board members, and SURC has taken the position that those issues remain pending before the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas despite the Supreme Court’s resolution of the voting standard issue.  The Authority is hopeful that the Trial Court will swiftly consider these issues, as the matter is remanded back to it.

Irrespective of how SURC’s counterclaims are resolved, customers on the Authority’s rail lines should remain assured that uninterrupted rail service shall continue, as will the Authority’s mission of encouraging economic development, while preserving rail infrastructure throughout central Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf ordered the commonwealth flag on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds in Montgomery County to fly at half-staff immediately in honor of firefighter Edward Minnick of the Colmar Volunteer Fire Company who died in the line of duty on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020.

The commonwealth flag shall be flown at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 – the day of Minnick’s funeral.

The commonwealth flag has flown at half-staff since Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in honor of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic and should continue to fly at half-staff until further notice. The United States flag is to remain at full-staff.

All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.

Tuesday afternoon the PIAA issued a statement on revised crowd guidance. Earlier in the day Governor Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine updated their Orders on indoor and outdoor gathering limits.

The PIAA statement is provided here:

Two (2) new cases added Tuesday in Lycoming County now at 753 cases and no new deaths, 26 total deaths, with 13,902 negatives according to DOH report.

Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19,

1,036 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 165,243

Pennsylvanians Urged to Download COVID Alert PA App

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., October 6, that there were 1,036 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 165,243. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19.

The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between September 29 and October 5 is 187,157 with 7,381 positive cases. There were 23,626 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., October 5. These results represent the total number of tests administered.

There are 8,244 total deaths attributed to COVID-19, an increase of 17 new deaths reported. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

“We know that congregation, especially in college and university settings, yields increased case counts. The mitigation efforts in place now are essential to flattening the curve and saving lives,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and following the requirements set forth in the orders for bars and restaurants, gatherings, and telework will help keep our case counts low. Make your phone part of the fight against COVID-19 today by downloading the COVID Alert PA exposure notification app. Together, as Pennsylvanians, all of our efforts are designed to support our communities to ensure that cases of COVID-19 remain low.”

Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There are 890 cases who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 646 patients who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure.

There are 1,951,992 patients who have tested negative to date. Of the patients who have tested positive to date the age breakdown is as follows:

• Approximately 1% are ages 0-4;
• Nearly 2% are ages 5-12;
• Nearly 5% are ages 13-18;
• Nearly 14% are ages 19-24;
• Nearly 36% are ages 25-49;
• Approximately 21% are ages 50-64; and
• Nearly 22% are ages 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. More data is available here.

The department is seeing significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases among younger age groups, particularly 19 to 24-year-olds. An alert was sent to healthcare providers about the changing COVID-19 case demographics, as there are more cases in younger age groups than in those 50-64 and 65+. The following regions saw significant increases among 19 to 24-year-olds in each month from April to the end September:

• NC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to 64 percent of cases in September;
• NE – 6 percent of cases in April to nearly 34 percent of cases in September;
• SE – Nearly 5 percent of cases in April to approximately 28 percent of cases in September;
• SW – Approximately 5 percent of cases in April to approximately 25 percent of cases in September;
• NW – Nearly 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 18 percent of cases in September; and
• SC – Approximately 7 percent of cases in April to approximately 16 percent of cases in September.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 23,380 resident cases of COVID-19, and 5,196 cases among employees, for a total of 28,576 at 992 distinct facilities in 61 counties. Out of our total deaths, 5,497 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here.

Approximately 11,059 of our total cases are among health care workers.

Currently, all 67 counties are in the green phase of reopening.

Statewide – The Wolf Administration has since noon, Oct. 5:

• Provided update to COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard.
• Announced an additional $96 million for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
• Provided Pennsylvania State Police enforcement data.

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
• Clean surfaces frequently.
• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
• If you must go out, you are required to wear a mask when in a business or where it is difficult to maintain proper social distancing.
• Download the COVID Alert PA app and make your phone part of the fight. The free app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “covid alert pa.

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

• Daily COVID-19 Report
• Press releases regarding coronavirus
• Latest information on the coronavirus
• Photos of the state’s lab in Exton (for download and use)
• Coronavirus and preparedness graphics (located at the bottom of the page)
• Community preparedness and procedures materials

All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to sign up for AlertPA, a text notification system for health, weather, and other important alerts like COVID-19 updates from commonwealth agencies. Residents can sign up online at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInformed/Signup-For-Alerts.

Harrisburg, PA – As the voter registration deadline approaches for the Nov. 3 presidential election, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar today urged Pennsylvanians to check their voter registration status at votesPA.com.

“Now is the time to make sure you are registered to vote, and your registration information is current before the deadline in less than two weeks,” Secretary Boockvar said. “We want every eligible Pennsylvanian to be able to exercise their right to vote on election day.”

Monday, Oct. 19, is the deadline for eligible Pennsylvanians to apply for a new voter registration or make changes to an existing registration before the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Individuals wishing to register to vote must be:

• A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election
•  A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which the individual wants to register and vote for at least 30 days before the election
• At least 18 years of age on or before the date of the election.

“Pennsylvanians have more convenient, secure and accessible voting options than ever before,” Secretary Boockvar said. “They can vote by mail ballot, in person at their county election office before the election or at the polls on Nov. 3. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is 5 p.m. on Oct. 27.”

On Nov. 3, Pennsylvania voters will elect:

• the President and Vice President
• U.S. Representatives
• the State Attorney General, Auditor General and Treasurer
• State Representatives
• State Senators in odd-numbered districts

The votesPA.com website also offers printable voter registration applications, early in-person voting information, a polling place locator, and county boards of elections contact information.  It includes tips for first-time voters and military and overseas voters.

For more information on voting and elections, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.