Rep. Baker Says Missouri Vote to Reject Obamacare Shows Oppostition is Growing to the New Federal Healthcare Mandates - 8/5/2010
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Missouri voters this week turned out to overwhelmingly support a referendum aimed at instituting a law to protect that state’s residents from recent federal healthcare mandates, and lawmakers in Harrisburg are taking notice. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Bradford/Tioga), Republican chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee and sponsor of similar legislation in Pennsylvania said he was impressed by the strength of the message sent by Missouri voters in their rejection of new federal healthcare mandates. Mike Davies reports – story and alternate soundbite available.
Rep. Baker Legislative Report/Podcast - 5/28/2010
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This Legislative Report Program with Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga & Bradford) is now available for download. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in state government news coverage.
Rep. Baker Comments on Rendell Decision to Participate in High Risk Insurance Program Despite Consequences to PA - 5/26/2010
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Lawmakers this week received an update from the state Insurance Commissioner on Pennsylvania's plans for implementation of federal health care reforms. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga), Republican Chair of House Health and Human Services Committee, said legislators are concerned about problems created by the Rendell administration's recent commitmentto participate in a federal high-risk insurance program with no thought to the consequences facing state government in the future. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Baker Speaks at Rally in Support of PA Citizens' Right to Opt Out of New Federal Health Care Mandates - 4/19/2010
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Hundreds of Pennsylvania citizens rallied on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg on Monday for the Pennsylvania Liberty March in support of the constitutional right to opt out of newly passed federal health care mandates. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga & Bradford) spoke at the rally in support of his legislation to protect the rights of Pennsylvanians to choose their own health care plan. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.
Rep. Baker Comments on House Passage of Budget Legislation - 3/23/2010
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The Pennsylvania House has passed budget legislation for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, primarily along a party-line vote. However, House Republicans are speaking out about the shortcomings of the Governor’s budget, which would add more than $1 billion in spending, during a protracted fiscal crisis, to last year’s spending plan. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga, Bradford) said that further negotiations are needed to remedy issues surrounding school funding and revenue projections. Chuck Nichols Reports – Story and Bite available.
Rep. Baker Comments on Efforts to Opt Out of New Healthcare Legislation - 3/22/2010
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Legislation that would overhaul the nation’s health care system has been passed by Congress and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama later this week. However, Pennsylvania lawmakers are speaking out against the bill, noting that it would infringe upon states’ rights, and are pushing for the Commonwealth to opt out of the new healthcare plan. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga, Bradford) said he urges the Pennsylvania Legislature to protect citizens’ rights and support the Healthcare Freedom Act. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Baker Responds to President Obama's Call for Federal Healthcare Takeover - 3/9/2010
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Lawmakers in Harrisburg are reacting to the Obama administration’s latest call for a federal healthcare takeover following a rally held Monday by the President in suburban Philadelphia. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Bradford & Tioga), Republican Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, said many of the features of the Obama-Care plan will have questionable effects in Pennsylvania. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Baker Comments on "Healthcare Freedom" Rally in Harrisburg - 1/27/2010
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House lawmakers joined hundreds of citizens at a “Health Care Freedom” rally Wednesday in the state capitol to support new legislation that would to help prevent a future takeover of Pennsylvania’s health care system by the federal government. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga & Bradford), Republican chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, is the sponsor of a bill is aimed at limiting the authority of the federal government to intrude on the private health care decisions of Pennsylvanians through passage of a health care bill like those now under consideration in Washington. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Baker Comments on Passage of Revenue Bill to Support State Budget - 10/7/2009
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Legislation that will generate $1.5 billion in revenue to support this year’s$27.8 billion proposed state budget was approved Wednesday in the state House on a mostly party line vote. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga & Bradford), said he is concerned that the budget plan supported by this bill takes funding directly from accounts designed to keep doctors working in Pennsylvania and help pay the costs of skyrocketing malpractice insurance. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Baker Comments on Hearing Regarding Swine Flu Vaccinations - 9/16/2009
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Lawmakers were briefed this week on the preparations the state is making to deal with a possible outbreak of the H1N1 swine flu in the coming months. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga, Bradford), Republican Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, said his committee heard an update from state public health officials about ongoing efforts to provide vaccinations to at-risk populations across the Commonwealth. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.