Costa Outlines Pennsylvania's 2027 Priorities
Pennsylvania state Sen. Jay Costa laid out his top priorities for lawmakers as the state looks ahead to 2027.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Legislative Policy
Live Poll
Should Pennsylvania raise the minimum wage in the coming year?
State Sen. Jay Costa discussed his top priorities for Pennsylvania lawmakers in 2027 on the Big K Morning Show. Protecting Medicaid coverage is a top priority as the state faces a new political landscape in Washington.
Why it matters
New federal requirements threaten Medicaid coverage for thousands of Pennsylvanians, making the issue central to state legislative planning. The priorities signal how Pennsylvania lawmakers intend to respond to federal changes that will affect residents directly.
The federal Medicaid requirements take effect January 1, 2027, and threaten coverage for thousands of Pennsylvanians, though the exact number affected was not specified. Costa's remarks did not detail the specific legislative mechanisms he would pursue to protect coverage.
The players
Jay Costa
Jay Costa is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has served as the Senate Democratic Leader.
The details
Costa discussed his priorities on the Big K Morning Show, naming protecting Medicaid coverage as a top concern. He also pointed to a new political landscape in Washington as lawmakers plan for the coming year.
Timeline
January 1, 2027: New federal Medicaid requirements take effect, threatening coverage.
January 2027: A minimum wage increase is expected.
July 1, 2027: The mass transit funding crisis is likely to recur.
Legislative Context
Pennsylvania's focus on Medicaid coverage reflects the state's response to federal requirements scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027. The priorities Costa outlined position state lawmakers to respond to federal changes that take effect on that date.
Pennsylvanians enrolled in Medicaid could face coverage loss once the new federal requirements take effect on January 1, 2027. Residents should watch for state actions aimed at protecting coverage as those requirements approach.
The takeaway
State priorities on Medicaid coverage will shape how Pennsylvanians are affected by federal changes arriving in early 2027. Residents enrolled in the program should monitor state legislative action as the January 1 deadline approaches.
Further reading
For more on how state lawmakers are shaping policy, see Legislative Policy coverage across Pennsylvania.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Audacy.
Live Poll
Should Pennsylvania raise the minimum wage in the coming year?
