Offering low-cost health insurance to the state’s working poor would cost the state almost $500 million next year, but that’s still a bargain, state Department of Health Secretary Dr. Calvin Johnson said.
“The cost of doing nothing is much greater than the cost of implementing health-care reform in Pennsylvania,” Johnson said Tuesday during a stop at Memorial Medical Center.
Johnson is on a four-day tour of the state to rekindle Gov. Ed Rendell’s Prescription for Pennsylvania reform initiative and its Cover All Pennsylvanians health insurance.
Legislation and the governor’s directives have implemented programs to expand access to health care, track hospital-acquired infection data and encourage a team approach to treatment of chronic illnesses.
But the health insurance component stalled in the Legislature, Johnson said.
Rendell’s proposal would underwrite policies offered by private insurance companies through employers with fewer than 50 workers. The employer would pay $130 a month for each worker, who would each chip in another $10 to $70 depending on their income, Johnson said.
“It is not a government-run health-care insurance program,” Johnson said. “It is an affordable product that can be administered through the existing structure.”
The plan would require $104.1 million to be raised with a 10-cent-a-pack hike in the cigarette tax, and with a new tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco.
Additional government funding would include $49.5 million from the state’s share of a lawsuit settlement with the tobacco industry, $121.9 million from the Community Health Reinvestment fund from the insurance providers, and $191.2 million in federal Medicaid funds.
Conemaugh Health System supports expanded insurance coverage, said Dr. David Carlson, chief medical officer. But the plan must also provide hospitals with adequate reimbursement to be able to attract qualified physicians and pay for things like medical education, he added.
Local News
Health secretary lobbies for Rendell insurance proposal
- Local News
-
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
-
Community Event is ‘fun for the kids’
The annual Johnstown Community Event held Saturday was a big hit in many ways.
-
Fielding interest: With new rec facility, leaders hope to sell old site
Borough Council leaders here find they are about to get into the real estate business, from the sellers’ end that is.
-
Richland weighs $2.1M offer for land
Richland School District officials will take time, likely a month, to weigh an Ohio developer’s Rachel Hill school land offer.
-
Officials cool on tax plan
Two state lawmakers from the area agree that a proposal to eliminate school property taxes with revenues from increases in the state personal income and state sales taxes has little chance of success anytime soon.
-
Portage store serves up a helping of history
Gone are the days when Schoenfeld’s Department Store sold ladies apparel, men’s suits and children’s shoes.
-
BILL EGGERT | Disco dancing days
-
BILL FINDLEY | Johnstown area is a great place for young adults to live and work
Looking for a great place to live and work? If you are like most people, your list would likely include a multitude of factors to consider in the selection process – such things as job opportunities, less stress, reasonable living costs, and plenty of fun things to do.
- Cambria County Court Report 05/27/2012
- Local business briefs 5/27/2012
- More Local News Headlines
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
