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70 Organizations Ask Lawmakers to Oppose HB 42, Other Efforts to Prevent Implementation of Affordable Care Act
On February 4, the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, along with more than 70 other organizations, sent a letter to members of the Pennsylvania House Health Committee, asking them to oppose House Bill 42.
This legislation would sponsored by Rep. Matt Baker, would prohibit Pennsylvania from enacting or enforcing any penalties on individuals who do not purchase health insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act, the individual responsibility provision goes into effect in 2014, when subsidies will be made available to middle- and low-income families to purchase affordable coverage through a health insurance exchange.
The real danger is that this bill would prevent the state from moving forward with key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including establishment of health insurance exchanges that will make it easier for individuals and small businesses to shop for affordable insurance.
The letter states in part: “The Affordable Care Act marks an important achievement for consumers. HB 42 would be a step backwards and an effort to stop its implementation would have devastating consequences for Pennsylvania.”