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COSTA AND HUGHES URGE ACTION ON HEALTH CARE
HARRISBURG—September 24, 2008 — With only four scheduled days left on the Senate voting calendar, state Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Vincent Hughes (D-Phila.) today urged the Senate Republican Leader to allow a full Senate vote on the proposed Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care (PA ABC) plan. The legislation would provide health care for the nearly one million uninsured Pennsylvanians. “As gas prices, food and utilities rise amid a struggling economy, it is crucial that we enact real health care reform now,” Costa said. “Too many families are foregoing health insurance to cover basic living costs, which burdens hospitals, taxpayers and, ultimately, uninsured families who are potentially one medical emergency away from financial ruination.” In a letter to Republican Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, Costa and Hughes asked that Senate Bill 1137 be moved onto the legislative calendar for action. Costa and Hughes have been at the forefront of this issue from the beginning. “There are only four session days left,” Hughes said. “Our window to ensure that thousands of Pennsylvanian’s receive the benefits they desperately need is closing fast. It is imperative that we take action before the Senate session ends.” PA ABC would extend subsidized health coverage to about 80,000 on the state’s adultBasic program waiting list. It would also add coverage for behavioral health services and prescription drugs under adultBasic. The PA ABC plan would be funded with state and federal money and individual premiums. Funding sources in the bill include available balances from the Health Care Provider Retention account (after funding has been provided for Mcare abatements and unfunded liability); the existing Tobacco Settlement Fund and Community Health Reinvestment Funds that currently support the adultBasic program; premiums paid by individuals and employers for PA ABC health care coverage; federal Medicaid matching funds; and additional revenues deposited in the Supplemental Assistance Funding Account, which would be at least $120 million in the first year of the program. In addition, PA ABC includes $42 million in grants for certain small businesses that already provide health care coverage. Small businesses with 2 to 50 employees would be eligible for PA ABC if the average salary of all employees is less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level and at least half of the eligible employees enroll in PA ABC. Over 10 years, PA ABC would phase out the Mcare abatement program, Mcare, and retire the program’s $2 billion unfunded liability, or cost of future claims. Senate Bill 1137 passed the House of Representatives by a 118-81 vote in March and is now in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. “This legislation is essential to the welfare of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens,” Costa said. “We have ensured that medical professionals are well taken care of, when will we take responsibility for the thousands of constituents who need access to health insurance?” “The woes of the national economy are taking the largest toll on the uninsured,” Hughes said. “As they work to stabilize their finances in these uncertain times, healthcare should be their last worry. Let’s work to see that this legislation is enacted NOW!” Costa and Hughes sent a similar letter to Governor Rendell calling on him to bring the Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate together to discuss this issue in an effort to move it to the floor for a full vote in the Senate. ###
The following are letters sent to Senate Republican Leader and Governor Ed Rendell.
September 24, 2008 The Honorable Dominic Pileggi Senate Majority Leader 350 Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120
RE: Healthcare
Dear Senator Pileggi:
We are writing to urge you to move legislation that would provide healthcare for thousands of Pennsylvanians. As the cost of living increases and our economy sinks, it is crucial that we provide some form of relief for numerous Pennsylvanians. Too many Pennsylvania families are forgoing health insurance to cover basic living costs, such as groceries and heating their homes.
This year, we were the prime sponsors of Senate Bill 1356 and we vociferously supported Senate Bill 1137, the proposed Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care (PA ABC) program. This program would extend subsidized health coverage to thousands of uninsured Pennsylvanians. Although there are only four scheduled Senate session days left, we are confident that we can provide health care benefits to those Pennsylvanians in need.
Therefore, we are urging you to move Senate Bill 1137 and provide needed relief to thousands of Pennsylvanians facing dire economic times. We cannot wait any longer on such an important issue.
Sincerely,
Senator Jay Costa Jr.
*** September 24, 2008
The Honorable Edward G. Rendell Governor 225 Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120
RE: Healthcare
Dear Governor Rendell:
This year, we have been in the forefront in supporting the proposed Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care (PA ABC) program, which would extend subsidized health coverage to thousands of uninsured Pennsylvanians. As the prime sponsors of Senate Bill 1356 and as vocal supporters of Senate Bill 1137, we believe PA ABC is essential to providing relief to those Pennsylvanians facing dire economic times. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 1137 languishes in committee while the close of session rapidly approaches.
With just four scheduled Senate session days remaining this year, we believe that we can provide health care benefits to those Pennsylvanians in need. As the cost of living increases and our economy sinks, it is crucial that we provide some form of relief for numerous Pennsylvanians. Too many Pennsylvania families are forgoing health insurance to cover basic living costs, such as groceries and heating their homes.
As a champion of health care reform, you are keenly aware that all Pennsylvanians deserve access to quality health insurance. PA ABC will remove barriers that impede access to health care.
Therefore, we urge you to make PA ABC an immediate priority and convene the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives to pass Senate Bill 1137 and provide quality healthcare for thousands Pennsylvanians. We cannot wait any longer on such an important issue.
Sincerely,
Senator Jay Costa Jr.
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