Pennsylvania House poised to pass health plan
More than a year after Gov. Rendell called on the legislature to approve a plan to provide health-care coverage to nearly 800,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians, a scaled-down version of his plan is finally moving through the General Assembly.
The measure, expected to get final House approval Monday, would provide coverage to close to 300,000 uninsured residents. The bill, which passed a crucial 114-81 vote Wednesday night on its second reading, also would extend malpractice-insurance subsidies by 10 years in an effort to keep doctors from leaving the state because of high premiums.
The billion-dollar plan would be funded with state and federal money and individual premiums.
"We face many challenges in Pennsylvania, and health care for the uninsured can no longer wait," said Rep. Todd Eachus (D., Luzerne), who sponsored the measure.
Rendell's plan would have provided subsidies for families of four making up to $62,000 a year. The House plan would cover fewer people, with a threshold of $42,000. Under a formula that considers income and family size, most recipients would have to pay a small premium.
To address criticism from business groups that fear small employers will be crushed if required to provide health insurance, the measure includes grants to help them cover costs.
Full article Philly.com.