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Letters: Guv's Healthy PA move a healthy one

ON BEHALF of Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, I congratulate Gov. Wolf for his recent announcement that Pennsylvania will move away from the Healthy PA plan to a much more comprehensive full expansion of Medicaid. The federal money has already been set aside to expand preventive and lifesaving health care to hardworking women and their families in our state, and we finally have a governor willing to implement this program.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf listens to students during a visit to Coughlin High School in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf listens to students during a visit to Coughlin High School in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015.Read moreAP Photo/The Citizens' Voice, Christopher Dolan

ON BEHALF of Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, I congratulate Gov. Wolf for his recent announcement that Pennsylvania will move away from the Healthy PA plan to a much more comprehensive full expansion of Medicaid. The federal money has already been set aside to expand preventive and lifesaving health care to hardworking women and their families in our state, and we finally have a governor willing to implement this program.

The expansion will be 100 percent financed with federal money through 2016, and by at least 90 percent in 2017 and thereafter. This means that the women, teens and men that we see at Planned Parenthood would get the assistance they need to safeguard their health, with little cost to the state. It would also save millions of dollars in taxpayer money. In particular, access to family-planning services saves taxpayers $7 for every dollar spent.

We look forward to seeing this plan take effect, and we are sharing the news with those we serve, many of whom are eligible for Medicaid under this expansion. We thank Gov. Wolf for showing strong leadership and a commitment to bringing critical and affordable health care to more Pennsylvanians.

Dayle Steinberg

President and CEO

Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania

Columnist a 'big part of the problem'

I am appalled, disgusted and sitting here shaking my head at the remarks of Daily News writer Helen Ubiñas in her story "A Mom's Mistrust."

She cast doubt on the Philadelphia Police Department's investigation and clearing of two officers involved in a shooting; her exact words were, "Another wondrous example of community-building by the Philadelphia Police Department. PPD: Breaking hearts and minds one bungled interaction at a time."

And you call yourself a writer? You, Miss Ubiñas, are a big part of the problem with our city and why it's going to the dumps. How dare you cast doubt, pick a side, try to sway the truth, when you have no idea of what evidence or facts were even presented or what even happened?

Your story mentions over and over again about getting the names of the officers involved, Why? So the animals that your story is fueling can riot, loot, burn and destroy? Is that what you want? Philly becomes Ferguson. Maybe when the two officers' lives are turned upside down and their families are threatened, will you then find peace with your story?

Granted the death of Brandon Tate-Brown is tragic. The loss of any human life is. But everything will eventually come out. I never see you write against the bad guys even when the proof is evident.

If it was the officers who were killed, would your story be against the criminal, or are you just one way without knowing all the facts? 'Cause that's what it seems.

All you have done with this article is pick a side and bring tension, lies and accusations to an issue that has too much of them, but what do you care? It's what sells that matters.

Let it be known, I am no fan of the Philadelphia Police Department. I was a city cop for five years and I was terminated from a job I loved. I don't trust the FOP brass or the union but I would never put my problems out there to bring danger to every other cop or citizen, no matter what I believed. I guess your sales outweigh your morals.

Andrew J. Dankanich

Philadelphia

Thanks for Sabol story

Thank you for your remembrance of NFL Films co-founder Ed Sabol. Like many football fans, I grew up watching NFL Films highlight films. Often their Super Bowl highlight films were even more exciting than the actual games. With multiple camera angles that captured the beauty of a spiral pass and dirt flying as linemen battled in the trenches, John Facenda's booming baritone narration and stirring music, like Sam Spence's "Journey to the Moon (Preparation)" and Craig Palmer's "Energy," Ed Sabol and his son Steve Sabol turned the highlight film into an epic drama.

The Sabols will be remembered as two of America's greatest storytellers.

Stephen A. Silver

San Francisco

Campaign fun, er, funds

I don't have a problem with Juan Rodriguez holding the formal announcement of his candidacy for mayor of Philadelphia in an alleged strip bar. Clearly, the pole in question is a load-bearing pole.

The issue I do take with this neophyte politico is the slogan seen on his placard: "Time for a change." If Mr. Rodriguez truly wishes to demonstrate common sense and fiscal savvy, he will change his rallying cry to "Time for some change," because, let's face it: You don't give the dancers $10s and $20s - you need to get singles.

Randy S. Robbins

Philadelphia