State House Passes Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care

State House Passes Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care in Politics and Legislation

More states moving on health care reform...

Pennsylvania Democrats in the state House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would give hundreds of thousands of the state’s residents access to health insurance coverage.

If made into law, the bill known as Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care would subsidize health insurance for families earning up to 200 percent of the poverty level. The measure would also add benefits such as prescription drug coverage to the state’s existing plan for low-income residents.

In addition to expanding coverage, he bill provides grants for small businesses that provide insurance for their employees.

Access to Basic Care is a slimmer version of the plan from Governor Ed Rendell. Governor Rendell proposed a bill last year that would expand coverage to families earning 300 percent of the poverty level and allowed anyone to buy into the state’s health care program.

The final vote was 114 to 81 on a measure after House legislators debated for six hours on the floor, reported the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Some Republicans criticized the bill for its high price tag.

Costs for expanding state coverage would increase every year, according to estimates. In its fifth year, the program would cost a total of $1.11 billion — the state would be responsible for $370.1 million.

Another point of contention was that lawmakers had not decided on the source of funding.

A few options include payments from individuals covered and employers, transferring funds from other state programs, and getting rid of doctors’ medical malpractice insurance. They are also considering raising tobacco taxes.

The Pennsylvania health insurance bill now heads to the state Senate, where Republicans hold the majority.

“[T]he people of Pennsylvania have demanded we do something [about health care] and do it now,” said state Representative W. Curtis Thomas.

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