clip board and stethoscope in focus in the foreground, doctor holding a patient's hand out of focus in the background

Report: Preventing Wasteful and Inequitable Consultative Examinations in Social Security Disability Claims

Today, advocates from New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), the Urban Justice Center (UJC), and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) released a new report about wasteful and harmful Social Security policies, which discriminate against adults and children with disabilities. The report focuses on issues arising in New York State and Pennsylvania, but this is…

Green background with black text reading: How the Pandemic Response Has Failed Young People & What We Need to Thrive

Report: How the Pandemic Response Has Failed Young People & What We Need to Thrive

This report was written by Youth Justice Project inaugural Youth Action Board members, Deja Morgan, Alexi Chacon, and Madison Nardy.  When the coronavirus was declared a global pandemic in March 2020, young people across the country became unemployed, had to adjust to a virtual learning environment, experienced loss, housing insecurity, and more with no clear…

Immediate Actions Pennsylvania Must Take to Address the COVID-19 Crisis in Long-Term Care Facilities

The COVID-19 pandemic has had drastic and tragic effects on Pennsylvania’s long-term care facility residents and the staff who care for them. More than 4,700 long-term care (LTC) residents have died from COVID-19, accounting for 68% of all deaths in Pennsylvania.  Immediate action must be taken to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population and to ensure their rights.  It is vital that LTC residents and their advocates have…

covid 19 updates

Information for Seniors, People with Disabilities, and People Who Need Public Benefits During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Tests for the Coronavirus are covered by medical assistance (Medicaid). The County Assistance Office is closed to the public, but they are continuing to accept and process applications for medical assistance. Please include on your application if you have a health emergency including COVID-19.Immigrants are also able to receive emergency medical assistance for treatment. Please…

Careless: How the Pennsylvania Department of Health Has Risked the Lives of Elderly and Disabled Nursing Home Residents

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has been failing in its job to protect nursing home residents.  Over the past several years, DOH has significantly decreased the issuance of sanctions against nursing homes and has adopted and employed an investigatory strategy that dismisses 92% of the complaints against nursing homes.  Additionally, when DOH finds that…