Jun. 20, 2018
HARRISBURG – Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Bedford/Somerset) issued the following statement in response to passage of a responsible, no-tax-increase budget today by the House:
“The $32.7 billion budget approved by the House today holds the line on taxes but also increases funding for core functions of government, including public safety. This includes added funding for an additional 285 state police troopers to protect our communities. It also includes an additional $12 million in increases to help struggling EMS providers.
“Specifically, reimbursements for Advanced Life Support (ALS) services would increase from $200 to not less than $300, and Basic Life Support (BLS) services would increase from $120 to $180. The rate increase would be effective at the start of 2019.
“With approval by the House, Senate and governor, this would be the first increase in Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance companies in the state in nearly 15 years. Current rates are more than 200 percent below reimbursements provided by Medicare and commercial insurance, which has made it incredibly difficult for ambulance companies to keep operating.
“This budget also invests $100 million more for basic education, $25 million more for early childhood education and an additional $15 million for special education. This equates to a record-high $12.3 billion for PreK-12 education. A 3 percent increase to higher education should keep tuition rates from seeing an increase.
“On the same token, overall spending in this budget was below the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) index. By once again holding the line on taxes, we are allowing our economy to grow naturally and free from government meddling.”
Representative Carl Walker Metzgar
69th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepMetzgar.com