Pennsylvania Says 'No' Governor's Plan For Health Insurance Expansion

Pennsylvania Says 'No' Governor's Plan For Health Insurance Expansion in Politics and Legislation

After months of promises from Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell that he would bring expanded health insurance coverage to uninsured residents, the governor’s plan died in the state Senate.

Not surprisingly, the vote seemed to be a partisan matter and the lack of support from the state Senate Republicans meant the end of the Democratic governor’s bill.

The Pennsylvania health insurance program would have been expanded coverage to more than 118,000 adults living in Pennsylvania, increased funding for health clinics, and provided more insurance coverage for prescription drugs and mental health care.

In total, the new legislation would have cost the state government over $2 billion in five years, which was a primary concern for the Senate Republicans.

“[I]t would be irresponsible for us to announce a new program when the state is now facing a 2-to-3 billion-dollar deficit in this year alone,” said state Senator Dominic Pileggi, a Senate Republican leader.

But Governor Rendell took a shot at his Republican colleagues claiming they didn’t follow through on compromises that were made.

“We bent many times to reduce the number of people (covered) to meet their concerns. This was mean-spirited conduct by people who did not want to see action taken on what is the most fundamental challenge for most people,” said Governor Rendell.

The governor vowed to push for health insurance expansion every year until his term ends in 2011, reported the Associated Press and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Comments[1]