New state governor

The November 2014 election marked the first time since 1968 that a challenger beat an incumbent Pennsylvania governor when Democratic Tom Wolf defeated Republican Tom Corbett.

Gov. Wolf, who was sworn in Jan. 20, 2015, created a number of transition review teams to work with the outgoing administration to understand a variety of issues, including health. Peter Grollman, VP of Government Affairs, Community Relations & Advocacy at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, serves in that group.

The CHOP Government Affairs team monitors many health-related legislative and policy issues at the state level in Pennsylvania, including the state budget, advanced practice nursing scope of practice and licensure reform.

Currently, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is experiencing a $1.9 billion deficit due to declining revenue and ballooning costs. The upcoming budget process will pit Gov. Wolf’s campaign platform of increasing education spending against the political realities of a legislative chamber unlikely to pass large tax increases.

Congressional election news

In election news, Republicans added eight seats to their majority and now hold a 119- to 84-seat advantage in the Pennsylvania State House. Senate Republicans gained three seats and now hold a 30 to 20 majority in the State Senate. There are three newly elected officials that will represent CHOP care network locations:

  • State Sen. Tom McGarrigle (R-Delaware County)
  • State Sen. Art Haywood (D-Northwest Philadelphia)
  • State Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Limerick)

Two new U.S. Congressmen represent districts that include CHOP locations:

  • U.S. Rep. Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA) is now serving the 13th Congressional District
  • U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA) now serves the 6th Congressional District