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In this Update:
Saving Rural Hospitals with One Big Beautiful Bill
As budget negotiations continue, the governor and the majority of PA House and Senate Democrats are still lamenting about the 1.4 million illegals and those who are able, but unwilling to work, being kicked off Medicaid due to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Let’s briefly examine some of the most common, fear-generating fabrications currently being stoked by Democrats in Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., regarding the so-called OBBB cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, which are allegedly endangering our rural hospitals. First and foremost, the OBBB does “NO HARM” to rural hospitals; but includes a special $50 billion fund specifically dedicated to supporting rural hospitals that are already struggling due to Medicaid’s low reimbursement rates. Medicaid isn’t propping rural hospitals up; it’s dragging them down. Moving more people to the workforce and private insurance could actually have a net positive impact on rural hospitals –– since private insurance reimburses hospitals at a higher rate than Medicaid. In fact, rural hospitals comprise just 7% of all hospital spending on Medicaid, strongly indicating that they have not benefited from the massive increase in waste, fraud and abuse under the Biden administration. Another major reason that I support the OBBB is to prevent both Medicare and Medicaid from going away entirely. Specifically pertaining to Medicaid, OBBB removes illegal aliens, enforces work requirements, and protects Medicaid for the truly vulnerable. In Pennsylvania, the Medicaid rate of growth is expected to be approximately 4.2% without reforms. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, the rate of growth should be closer to 2.5%, which is comparable to the rate of inflation. This is projected to save approximately $1 trillion nationwide over the next decade. OBBB protects and strengthens Medicaid for those who rely on it—pregnant women, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families—while eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. Similarly, OBBB does not make a single cut to Medicare—it safeguards and protects this program for all eligible Americans. Conversely, if more and more people who are NOT in NEED of assistance gain eligibility the entire Medicare system will collapse; and then no one will be able to receive help. In reality, the federal reconciliation bill approved by Congressional Republicans and signed into law by President Trump delivers unprecedented tax relief for working families, while at the same time preserving health care and food services for truly vulnerable American citizens. Final implementation of the OBBB will expand rural hospital protection, deliver targeted funds for rural care, and give states the necessary flexibility to support local health care providers. At Your Service, McKean County
Recently, I had the privilege of presenting Hamlin Township VFD Chief Randy Himes with an official Senate citation commemorating the department’s 50 years of irreplaceable volunteer community service. Also pictured is McKean County Commissioner Tom Kreiner. In the afternoon, I attended the Zippo/Case Museum Made in Bradford Event to present Michael Dubois with an official Senate Citation in recognition of his master, one-of-a-kind knife-making craftsmanship and his induction into the Case Wall of Fame. Last November, Michael retired from Case Knives and passed his creative inspiration and love for his job onto the next generation of accomplished Case knife makers. Congratulations Michael and Randy on both of these milestone accomplishments! Bill to Expand Body Camera Use for Law Enforcement Passes Senate
To boost safety and accountability, the Senate passed legislation to expand the use of body-worn cameras to additional law enforcement personnel. The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 520 authorizes the use of body cameras by special agents with the Office of Attorney General, rangers with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and officers and deputies with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission. The bill also modernizes the legal framework for body camera usage to ensure consistency in how footage is recorded and managed, regardless of the department using it. New Law Protects Users of Virtual Currency
We passed a new law to protect the increasing number of Pennsylvanians using virtual currency, such as Bitcoin. Act 7 of 2025 requires transmission of virtual currency to be treated similar to money transmission under state law. As more citizens use virtual currencies, the criminal element has increasingly focused on using this platform to evade prosecution. Pennsylvania will join 26 other states regulating virtual currency under their money transmitter acts so individuals can engage with virtual currencies at their own discretion with consumer safeguards in place. Nature Photo Contest Accepting Entries
Do you like to tell stories through photographs? The Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest is accepting submissions through July 31. The contest focuses on life along the Susquehanna River through four categories: Recreation, Transportation, River Towns and Wildlife. Winners receive cash prizes and recognition in a traveling gallery. Find details and submission information here. You can view the stunning photographs from last year’s winners here. Flooded Roads: Turn Around, Don’t Drown
More than half of flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into flood water. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars. Please play it safe and don’t drive around barricades on flooded roads. Never willingly walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn around, don’t drown.
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