Altoona Times

Pennsylvania's budget proposal has come under scrutiny due to a proposed reduction in funding for ALS support. Representative Lou Schmitt, a member of the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee, highlighted the issue after reviewing the Department of Health’s budget requests. He noted a 40% cut in funding for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, while other disease line items such as adult cystic fibrosis and leukemia maintained level funding.

During a budget hearing, Rep. Schmitt questioned the budget secretary about this specific reduction. The secretary confirmed that ALS was the only disease line item with reduced funding and attributed it to "other priorities" set by Governor Josh Shapiro. This explanation did not satisfy Rep. Schmitt, who expressed concern about the impact on families affected by ALS.

Rep. Schmitt stated, “That lost funding may mean that some families in Pennsylvania who have a loved one stricken with ALS and who can no longer walk won’t be able to afford a wheelchair.” He urged both the secretary of health and the governor’s budget secretary to advocate for restoring ALS support funding to its previous level of $1.5 million.

He further emphasized his position by saying, “I don’t know if our new governor wants to be a real leader or not. But if he does, this should be an easy call for him.”

Rep. Schmitt's appeal reflects broader concerns about prioritizing resources for those battling serious diseases like ALS in Pennsylvania.