OUR PRIORITIES 

AFFORDABLE COVERAGE

AFFORDABLE COVERAGE

Increasing access to high quality, affordable coverage

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PROTECTING PATIENTS

PROTECTING PATIENTS

Protecting patients from unfair practices when seeking care

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IMPROVING MEDICAID

IMPROVING MEDICAID

Making Medicaid even more effective

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HEALTH
EQUITY

HEALTH
EQUITY

Reducing health disparities and supporting local communities

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For over a decade, PHAN has worked to ensure patients have access to high-quality, affordable, equitable healthcare. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of Medicaid in Pennsylvania, we’ve seen great improvements. But, 4 in 5 Pennsylvanians are worried about the cost of healthcare. We have more work to do.

Below are our specific policy priorities related to affordable coverage:

Affordable Prescription Drugs

The high cost of prescription drugs is making it near impossible for Pennsylvanians to get the medicines they need to stay healthy. Instead, many are skipping doses of medications, cutting pills in half, and unable to fill prescriptions. 7 in 10 Pennsylvanians are worried about paying for the prescription drugs they need in the future. Even for people who don’t currently need prescription drugs, drug prices are increasing costs for everyone.

The Fair Rx Pennsylvania campaign is calling on lawmakers in Harrisburg to take immediate action to make prescription drugs more affordable.

Learn more about the campaign.

Reinsurance

Despite legislative efforts on both the state and federal level, the cost of healthcare is still far too high. Half of Pennsylvania’s adults have struggled to afford care in the past year, and cited high premiums as the primary reason for going uninsured. A reinsurance program would help insurance companies cover high cost individuals, thereby lowering premiums for the entire pool, further stabilizing the marketplace, and fostering additional competition. States such as New Jersey, Wisconsin, Alaska, Minnesota and Maryland have already developed and implemented reinsurance programs in an effort improve access to affordable coverage. PHAN seeks to build upon these existing reinsurance programs, or giving Pennsylvanians a public option when buying insurance, when tackling healthcare affordability.

Medicaid Buy-In

Medicaid buy-in is a state-based proposal that allows consumers who may be ineligible for traditional or expanded Medicaid coverage to buy into the program at a predetermined rate. Buying into Medicaid could mean higher quality coverage for a lower price for many consumers, and allow them to address health disparities without sacrificing economic stability. PHAN supports these proposals, and is working with key stakeholders and policymakers in Pennsylvania to offer suggestions that guarantee accessible health coverage for all Pennsylvanians.