HARRISBURG – Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46) issued the following statement today in reaction to CONSOL Energy Inc.’s recent announcement regarding the pending discontinuation of healthcare benefits for retirees:
“The loss of healthcare benefits for hundreds of local retirees creates a great deal of uncertainty and financial hardship for many families throughout the 46th District and across Western Pennsylvania. Helping affected families navigate these extraordinarily difficult circumstances will be a priority for me over the next several months. My staff and I are committed to helping those affected to prevent a lapse in coverage, which could result in inadequate access to services, expensive medical bills and severe federal tax penalties as prescribed by the Affordable Care Act.
“To aid in this transition period, I plan to have additional staff available at my Waynesburg office to assist local families with utilizing the federal healthcare marketplace. My staff and I will also work to identify any programs or services that may already be in place to help ease the financial transition for retirees and their families. I encourage affected families who have questions or concerns to contact my office for more information, and I will do my best to point them in the right direction.”
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CONTACT: Katrina Anderson (717) 787-1463