Patriot-News Joins Call for Preserving adultBasic
As I noted last week, some of the state's largest newspapers have joined the call for preserving adultBasic, after the recent release of a report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center and Pennsylvania Health Access Network examining a funding crisis facing the program.
The Patriot-News of Harrisburg became the latest newspaper to join that call with an editorial on Monday. Below are a few excerpts from that excellent editorial:
If you want to know how big the need for health insurance is among Pennsylvania’s working poor, look no further than the program run by the state.
About 45,800 people are enrolled in the adultBasic program, and more could easily be added to the rolls, considering the waiting list has swelled to 407,000.
Central Pennsylvania makes up about 7 percent of those enrolled and 13 percent of people on the waiting list
The long-term future of the program, however, is in question. Although the four BlueCross and Blue Shield insurance companies across the state that fund adultBasic will likely agree to a six-month extension, that is not enough.
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According to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, which issued a report on the adultBasic extension, from 2002 to 2009, the four Blues companies’ cumulative surpluses went from $3.5 billion to $5.6 billion.
This is an increase of 61 percent.
To add to the reasons why they should [continue funding adultBasic], the insurers have a charitable mission and the ability to run their nonprofit projects tax-exempt.
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Throwing 46,000 people off of health insurance, even if it is not until mid-2011, is unacceptable. Demand for the program continues to grow. The waiting list has increased by 300 percent since December 2007.
The Blues insurance companies should voluntarily agree to pay for the program for three years until the start of national health care. If they do not, the General Assembly should pass legislation that requires the extension.
Comments
Adult Basic
Why would you try to get rid of something that is needed. What is this Health Care Reform all about. I am not certain it is not for the people of this country. It is for the rich insurance companies once again . They say this is going to help people but I don't see it happening. Big insurance runs this country and they are not going to give up anything. GET RID OF THEM!!!!! That is what I thought was going to happen. I rather have the Government run my insurance than big business. It is time people spoke up especially the poor and middle class who are becoming poor. I was a smoker where was all the taxes going all this time. Not to healthcare for the needy. The state needs to not buckle under to big insurance. We need these programs with so many out of work and poor it don't make sense. What is reform all about if there is no insurance
Social Justice for Adult Basic
Three cheers for Rep. Todd Eachus! He "gets it," and I thank him on behalf of all those people in waiting. Keep up the good fight for the working people of Pa who have been waiting on the list. He understands what is really going on here and he knows that these people deserve justice. I have Adult Basic and would love to see this program extended to all who have needed and waited so long. Thank you Sir! I appreciate all you are trying to do to help the working class. Thank You, Ann Marie
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