Fitzpatrick votes for legislation passed for ACA subsidies – Bucks Round-Up – January 9, 2025
Fitzpatrick votes for legislation passed for ACA subsidies
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) broke with House Republican leadership, voting in favor of legislation that would extend Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies that expired late last year. Fitzpatrick joined sixteen other GOP lawmakers and every House Democrat to advance the bill, which passed Thursday by a 230–196 vote. Fitzpatrick, along with Pennsylvania Representatives Rob Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie and New York Representative Mike Lawler, signed a Democratic-led discharge petition that forced the bill to the floor over objections from Speaker Mike Johnson. The maneuver required 218 signatures and signaled growing bipartisan concern over rising health care costs, particularly for middle-income families who have ACA marketplace plans. The enhanced tax credits were enacted during the Covid-19 pandemic but lapsed after Congress failed to reach an agreement during last year’s government shutdown. The bill now heads to the Senate, where pressure is mounting for a bipartisan compromise to prevent premium spikes. In Pennsylvania, Pennie has extended the time to buy a health care plan until January 31.
County judge sends man to prison for sexual assault on teen girl
A Bucks County judge has sentenced a Philadelphia man to state prison for the repeated sexual assault of a teenage girl in Quakertown. Rodney Bass, 36, was sentenced Tuesday by Common Pleas Judge Charissa J. Liller to six to twelve years in prison, followed by 28 years of probation — totaling 40 years of court supervision. Bass pleaded guilty in September to statutory sexual assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse involving a child under sixteen. Prosecutors said Bass was the boyfriend of the victim’s mother and began assaulting the girl when she was fourteen years old, with the abuse continuing for more than a year. Judge Liller also classified Bass as a Tier Three sex offender, requiring lifetime registration. The case was investigated by Quakertown Borough Police Detective Ryan Naugle and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gabriella Simonelli.
Bucks County doctor recommends getting the flu shot
Health officials are urging residents to take precautions as flu cases surge to levels not seen in 25 years. Nationally, more than 11 million cases have been confirmed this season, with hospitalizations on the rise. Dr. Stephen Vanni, a Newtown Township-based physician and host of WBCB’s “Capital Health Watch,” is strongly encouraging patients to get vaccinated. Vanni said flu vaccines, while not perfect, significantly reduce severe illness and hospitalizations. He also emphasized the importance of rest, proper nutrition — especially adequate protein intake — and frequent hand washing, particularly in public places, to help protect against infection as the season peaks.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490.
