Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) and six other members of Congress introduced a bill on Oct. 8 to reauthorize the Legal Services Corporation. The bill, the Civil Access to Justice Act of 2009 ( H.R. 3764), is the companion to the reauthorization bill ( S. 718) Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) introduced in March

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions approved the nominations of five Presidential appointees to LSC’s Board of Directors on Oct. 21. The committee is led by Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Ranking Member Michael B. Enzi (R-Wyo.). The nominees include Robert J. Grey, Jr

Article in The Medical News featuring comments by Alissa Halperin, Senior Attorney and Deputy Director of Policy Advocacy at the Pennsylvania Health Law Project about the size requirements for assisted living facilities contained in proposed regulations of the faciilities.

Commentary in the Philadelphia Inquirer by Pamela Walz, Samuel Brooks, and Rebecca Vallas from the Aging and Disabilities Unit of Community Legal Services about proposed reforms to Medicare Advantage plans.

Story from ABC News on a new Census Bureau Report that estimates 47.4 million Americans are living in poverty, 7 million more than the estimate it released earlier this year, which translates to one in six Americans. Includes video report from ABC World News.

Pennsylvania’s commitment to children was recognized by the federal government as it awarded grants for adoption excellence and mental health systems of care to the Department of Public Welfare. The department was awarded approximately $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human

For the third consecutive year, Pennsylvania has been recognized as a national leader for its child support enforcement efforts and specifically as the first state to meet and exceed all federal performance standards, according to Department of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman.

Governor Edward G. Rendell has announced that Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program will open for the 2009-10 heating season on Nov. 2, 2009. However, for the upcoming heating season, the crisis portion of the program will open on Jan. 4, 2010 and not simultaneously with the cash