Now the Legislature Must Follow Suit
The Department of Health and Human Services is a big step toward reducing inefficiency and streamlining services, now the State Legislature must pass a fair state budget that enacts common sense, sustainable revenue.
For Immediate Release: January 30, 2017
Contact: Amelia Abromaitis – 215-2194248 / Amelia.Abromaitis@seiuhcpa.org
Harrisburg – In response to Governor Wolf’s announcement of the creation of The Department of Health and Human Services, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania President, Matt Yarnell, issued the following statement:
“Since day one, Governor Wolf has prioritized responsible, efficient use of our public tax dollars to the benefit of all Pennsylvanians. His newly created Department of Health and Human Services will further streamline the delivery of services to our state’s most vulnerable citizens while reducing unnecessary spending.
We are confident the creation of the new Department of Health and Human Services will not result in any program cuts for Pennsylvanians, but will dramatically improve providers’ and consumers’ ability to deliver and receive services that will improve lives. And given our state’s current structural deficit, we applaud the Governor’s commitment to minimize the loss of public sector jobs.
We will look forward to working with the new Department of Health and Human Services to ensure the voices of frontline caregivers are incorporated in this process and hope newly available resources will contribute to a more unified mission of public health.
The Governor is holding up his end of the bargain to reduce waste and increase government efficiency — Now we need the Legislature to do their part to pass a budget that meets the needs of all Pennsylvanians with a fair tax system that requires corporations and the wealthy to pay their fair share.”
SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania represents roughly 1,300 registered nurses who work for the Commonwealth in state prisons, state hospitals, the Department of Health and other settings.
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SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania is the state’s largest and fastest growing union of nurses and healthcare workers, uniting nearly 45,000 nurses, professional and technical employees, direct care workers, and service employees in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home and community-based services, and State facilities across the Commonwealth. SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania members are committed to improving the lives of healthcare workers and ensuring quality care and healthy communities for all Pennsylvanians.