Governor Corbett Decides Not to Move Forward on State-Based Insurance Exchange

PHAN Issues Statement on Pennsylvania’s Decision Not to Move Forward with a State Based Exchange

HARRISBURG, PA -- Dec. 12, 2012

Today Governor Corbett announced his decision not to move forward with a state based exchange. 

Antoinette Kraus, Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, issued the following statement:

“The Affordable Care Act was written to give states the flexibility to operate their own state-based exchanges and be the innovators of health care reform. Regrettably, Governor Corbett chose to reject this opportunity and instead handed the development of this new marketplace to the federal government.

Either way, Pennsylvania families and small businesses will finally have access to quality, affordable coverage through this new marketplace on January 1^st , 2014. Pennsylvania's health insurance exchange will assure folks have high quality choices at affordable prices, and an easier time finding and purchasing coverage. It will bring stability, certainty and security to hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.

Through the establishment of this new marketplace, and by accepting the new federal funding to extend Medicaid coverage to low-income adults, Pennsylvania can cover up to 1 million residents who are uninsured today. The Affordable Care Act remains on track to bring security and peace of mind to Pennsylvania families.

We urge Governor Corbett to work with the Department of Health and Human Services to develop Pennsylvania’s Health Insurance Marketplace and to accept Federal dollars available to strengthen our current Medicaid program.”