More Than 200 Pennsylvanians Urge Gov.-elect Corbett to Preserve AdultBasic

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Jointly released with the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center

HARRISBURG, PA (December 7, 2010) — More than 200 Pennsylvania organizations and concerned residents have signed a letter calling on Governor-elect Tom Corbett to preserve health coverage for the 43,000 Pennsylvanians enrolled in the state's adultBasic program.

AdultBasic is funded through contributions from the state’s tobacco settlement funds and an assessment on the state’s four Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans that was scheduled to end in December. While the Blues agreed to continue funding adultBasic through June 2011, their actual contributions have fallen short, which could shut the program down as early as February.

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, the Pennsylvania Health Access Network and 200 other groups and individuals sent a letter to Governor-elect Corbett today asking him to take swift action so that tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians don’t lose their health coverage. The full text of the letter is below.

“You have said your goal is to preserve insurance for 90% of Pennsylvanians who have it,” the letter states. “We urge you to keep this pledge and take action to preserve insurance coverage for adultBasic participants.

“We ask that you call together the representatives of the Blue Cross plans to secure their commitment to funding the program at the current enrollment levels through June.”

The nonprofit Blues agreed to make contributions to adultBasic beginning in 2005 after public outcry over their growing surpluses. Since those first agreements were negotiated, the Blues’ surpluses have grown from $4.2 billion to $5.6 billion, despite their contributions to adultBasic.

The groups signing the letter also asked the Governor-elect to work with them to find a longer-term funding solution to keep adultBasic operational until 2014 when key provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act take effect.

Also on Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) staged a holiday-themed street-theater performance outside the Philadelphia offices of Independence Blue Cross, depicting a Scrooge-like “insurance executive” delivering coal to adultBasic enrollees. It was the kick off of a week of statewide action to save adultBasic.

Another PHAN event is planned in Pittsburgh for Wednesday, December 8. Advocates will gather from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for a vigil outside the offices of the Northside Christian Health Center, 816 Middle Street, Pittsburgh. Speakers will include members of the faith community, local health care providers, and adultBasic consumers.

AdultBasic provides no frills health insurance to people who earn up to 200% of the federal poverty level. In the wake of the recession, the adultBasic waiting list has exploded by more than 400% — to nearly 464,000 in November — while enrollment has been declining because of uncertainty over future funding.

The Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) is a coalition of 50 groups from across the Commonwealth working to improve access to quality health care through the expansion of health insurance coverage. To learn more, go to www.pahealthaccess.org.

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) is a non-partisan policy research project that provides independent, credible analysis on state tax, budget, and related policy matters, with attention to the impact of current or proposed policies on working families. To learn more, go to www.pennbpc.org.

December 7, 2010

Hon. Tom Corbett, Governor-elect
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
200 North Third St. 3rd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Dear Governor-elect Corbett:

We write to draw your attention to an urgent problem facing your incoming administration. As you know, the adultBasic insurance program, which provides affordable health insurance to 43,000 Pennsylvanians, was slated to receive interim funding through June 2011. That funding, an extension of the negotiated Community Health Reinvestment Agreements (CHR) with the Commonwealth’s four Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans, has fallen short of the negotiated commitment, leaving the program in danger of running out of funds as soon as February.

Without swift action, tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians will find themselves without affordable health care. Moreover, these Pennsylvanians will have as little as 30 days to make alternative insurance arrangements. This is clearly unacceptable.

You have said your goal is to preserve insurance for 90% of Pennsylvanians who have it. We urge you to keep this pledge and take action to preserve insurance coverage for adultBasic participants.

We ask that you call together the representatives of the Blue Cross plans to secure their commitment to funding the program at the current enrollment levels through June. In addition, we would like to meet with you as soon as possible to discuss options to preserve adultBasic through 2014.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to working with you to resolve this urgent and important problem.

Sincerely,

Sharon Ward, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Antoinette Kraus, Pennsylvania Health Access Network

Elsie Tarr, AARP, Mifflinburg
Barbara Dively, Acquired Brain Injury Network of Pennsylvania Inc., Lansdale
Lucille Prater Holliday, President, ACTION United of Pennsylvania
Fred Jones, Action United, Philadelphia
Larry Rubin, Adults with Developmental Disabilities, Jenkintown
Dianne Oswald, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Cheltenham
John Turchi, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia
Margaret Nicholson, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia
Alicia Colon, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia
John Kelly, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia
Dan Keating, Brain Injury Association of PA, Downingtown
Craig Stevens, Black and White Reunion, Pittsburgh
Becca Raley, Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation, Carlisle
Larry Rankin, MD, Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation, Carlisle
Janet Filante, Childspace Cooperative Development Inc., Philadelphia
Rev. Thomas Reeder, Rector, Christ Episcopal Church, Williamsport
Susan Moore, Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Elisabeth Foringer, Community Health Clinic of Butler County, Butler
Jonathan Stein, Community Legal Services Inc., Philadelphia
Richard Weishaupt, Community Legal Services Inc., Philadelphia
Beth Heeb, Consumer Health Coalition, Pittsburgh
Alicia Dallago, Board Member, Crisis Center North, Pittsburgh
Jean Searle, Disability Rights Network, Philadelphia
Carol Horowitz, Managing Attorney, Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
Cheryl Feldman, District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund, Philadelphia
Latanya Sanders, District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund, Philadelphia
Susan B. Thomas, District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund, Philadelphia
Dora Martinez-Armstrong, Early Head Start, Philadelphia
Mary Ann Bentz, FLOC - For Love Of Children, Lower Bucks County, Morrisville
Elaine    Jones, Chair, Gettysburg Area Democracy for America  
Lorretta Reed, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
Carey Morgan, Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, Philadelphia
Peter Javsicas, Green Party, Philadelphia
Mary McMahon, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, Yardley
Kristy Adams, HAVIN (Helping All Victims In Need), Kittanning
Suzanne Cohen, Health Federation of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
Lynne Powell, Horizon House, Chester
Dave Wooledge, Housing Support Team Leader, Mental Health Association of Northwest Pennsylvania
Kristian Smith, Impact Systems Inc., West Chester
Thomas Slater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Penn Hills
David Toomey, Jessica and Friends Community, York
Jay Spector, JEVS Human Services, Philadelphia
Iris Vazquez, Jewish Employment Vocational Services – JEVS Human Services, Philadelphia
Lisa Morgan, Jewish Family Service, Wilkes-Barre
Rochelle Jackson, Just Harvest, Pittsburgh
Susan Clauser, Keystone Opportunity Center, Souderton
Michael Morrill, Keystone Progress, Harrisburg
Wanda Mata, LC Government Center, Allentown
Vivienne Spector, League of Women Voters of Abington-Cheltenham-Jenkintown
Andrew Winiarczyk, Liberty Books, Williamsport
Amy Reumann, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Letty Thall, Maternity Care Coalition, Philadelphia
Mary Jane Morrison, Maternity Care Coalition, Wayne
Andy McPhee, Maternity Care Coalition, Warrington
Brenda Lee, President and CEO, Mental Health America Allegheny County, Pittsburgh
William Grove, Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Erie
Carla Tomes, Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Scott Geryk, RN, BSN, Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Norristown
Gertrude and Roger Gobbel, Mohler Center, Palmyra
Sharon Miller, Monroe County AAA, Stroudsburg
Gretchen Heacock, MossRehab - Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia
Wilma Dorman, Occupational Therapy Resources, Inc., Plymouth Meeting
Dolores Magro, PA Breast Cancer Coalition, Clifton Heights
Diana L. Ames, PA Coalition to End Homelessness, Erie
Laval Miller-Wilson, PA Health Law Project, Philadelphia
Andrea Imperatore, PA Public Health Association, Wyndmoor
Rev. Charles Mercer, Pastor Emeritus, Picture Rocks Baptist Church, Picture Rocks
Rev. Robert A. Wilson, Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh
Carol Goertzel, PathWays PA, Holmes
Marc Stier, Penn Action,
Jane Keller, Pennsdale Friends' Meeting, Pennsdale
Jean Friday, President, Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans       
Denise Cressman, Pennsylvania Home-based Child Care Providers Association, Danville
Joanne Tosti-Vasey, Pennsylvania NOW Inc.
Thomas DeWall, Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Harrisburg
Ellen Tierney, Pennsylvania TASH, Pittsburgh
John Dodds, Philadelphia Unemployment Project, Philadelphia
Gloria Gilman, Philly Neighborhood Networks, Philadelphia
Robert C. Settle Jr., SEIU/PSSU 668, Lancaster
Karen Snider, Susquehanna Consulting & Financial Group, Harrisburg
Linda Herr, The Learning Center, Williamsport
Teresa Wilkes, UCP South Central, New Oxford
Stephen Drachler, United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Donna Burkharrt, United Methodist Women, Erie
Dana Bauer, United Way of Westmoreland County, Greensburg
Joyce Blackburn, Washington Communities MH/MR, Washington
Maryrose Myrtetus, Women Against Abuse, Philadelphia
Jodi Hirsh, Executive Director, National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section
Richard Chevrefils, State Director, AARP Pennsylvania
Michael Drohan, Board President, Thomas Merton Center
Joe Delale, Co-Chair, Pittsburgh Labor and Religion Coalition
Father Jack O'Malley, Association of Pittsburgh Priests
Barney Oursler, Executive Director, Pittsburgh UNITED
Father Garrett Dorsey, Administrator, St. Ursula Parish, Allison Park
James McCue, Hazelwood Initiative
Laurie Barnett-Levine, Westmoreland County Mental Health America
Katharine Fitzgerald Bulova, Pittsburgh Caregiver Support Network
Ken Regal, Co-Director, Just Harvest
Ray Landis, AARP PA
Rev/ Dr. Randy Bush, East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Rev. Gretchen Hulse, New Hope
Keri Harmicar, Northside Leadership Conference
Christine Michaels, Nami Southwestern PA
Stanley Holbrook, Three Rivers Center for Independent Living
Cynthia Salter, Program Director, Birth Circle
Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel, Executive Director, Aleph Institute
Joe Angelelli, PA State Director, Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute
Al Condeluci, Executive Director, Pittsburgh United Cerebral Palsy/Class
Mary Herbert, MS, MPH, Clinical Director and Thuy Bui, MD, Medical Director, Birmingham Free Clinic
Rev. David Keller, South Avenue United Methodist Church
Joyce Kane, Cybertery Pittsburgh
Antonio Lodico, Co-Coordinator, Mon Valley Unemployed Committee
Bruce Smith, Executive Director, United Way of Beaver County
Rachel Kallem, President, PA Youth Leadership Network
Guinevere Gregory and Joan Bradley, Pittsburgh District United Methodist Women
Rev. Ron Hoellein, St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Andrea Fox, MD, Medical Director, Squirrel Hill Health Center
Kathi Boyle, Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force
Donna Burkhart, President, and Gail Grey, Western PA Conference for United Methodist Women
Rev. Jeff Conn, First United Methodist Church, Canonsburg
Brenda Lee, Allegheny County Mental Health America
Rev. Ed Myers, Freeport United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Debra Rogosky, Falls Creek United Methodist Church
Democracy for America, Pittsburgh
La Comunidad Hispana Community Center, Kennett Square
Montgomery County Democracy for America    
John Ascenzi, Philadelphia
Linda Baker (Parent of a disabled adult), Bloomsburg
Eve Barnett, Philadelphia
Rachel Baron, Pittsburgh
Dr. Jill Bartoli, Carlisle
Bette Begleiter, Philadelphia
Laurie Bernstein, Swarthmore
Jo Ellen Bowman, Kittanning
Dona Carter, New Providence
Julie Cecchini, Pittsburgh
James Centner, Pittsburgh
Esther Chung, Swarthmore
Guadalupe Cintron, Norristown
Grace Coleman, Pittsburgh
Larry Coleman, Harrisburg
Paul Coleman, Lewisburg
Beth Crofutt, Apollo
Cheryl Dougan (Parent of child with severe disabilities), Bethlehem
Edward Engelfried, Philadelphia
Evelyn Eskin, Philadelphia
Linda Esposito, McMurray
Frank Esposito, Finleyville
Eduardo Esquivel, Philadelphia
Madeline Frith, Philadelphia
Tom Gemmill, Lancaster
Gaynell Gillespie, Philadelphia
Janet Golden, Bala Cynwyd
Marjorie Goldman, Bala Cynwyd
Mary R. Green, Philadelphia
Michael Gross, Hughesville
Christine Haas, Pittsburgh
Dennis Hill, Manheim
Andrew Holup, Grindstone
Meredith Huffman, Malvern
Patricia Hunter, Easton
Fred Jones, Philadelphia
Trieste Kennedy (Parent of young adult with a disability), Allentown
Megan Kiesel, Philadelphia
Anita Kulick, Dresher
Nicole Leapheart, Philadelphia
Marcia Lehman, Ambridge
Mary Catherine Lowery, Norristown
Paul Lubold, Pittsburgh
Cathy Markey, Philadelphia
Colleen McCauley, Philadelphia
Charlie McNutt, Mechanicsburg
Bonnie Mease, Lebanon
Maria Muzzie, Carnegie
Regina Oboler, Jeffersonville
Michael Ostroski, Upland
Valerie Owes, Philadelphia
Denise Patterson, Monroeville
Jenny Perez, Philadelphia
Deborah Ravacon, Fort Washington
Jay Roach, New Castle
Pamela Rockwell, Royersford
Mary Rossi, West Chester
Ed Schoenedck, Johnstown
David Schogel, Philadelphia
Dorene Schutz, Wilkes-Barre
Mervin Shaffer, New Cumberland
Roger Shipley, Professor Emeritus of Art, Lycoming College
Donya Smith, Brownsville
Anne Smith, Ambler
Timothy Snyder (Farmer), Slippery Rock
Kristen Sontag, Pittsburgh
Sue Spencer, Philadelphia
Christine Stone, Pittsburgh
Jeannine Stuart, Malvern
Keith Vanderlin, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design/Photography, Penn College of Technology
Felice Wiener, Wynnewood
Katee Yorke, Media
Elisa Zaehringer, Bethlehem
Kim Marie Zubritsky, Greensburg

CC:
Brian Nutt
Leslie Gromis-Baker
Tom Paese
David Simon

Hon. Donald White
Hon. Michael Stack
Hon. Anthony DeLuca
Hon. Nicholas Micozzi