Pennsylvania residents could lose health insurance

Pennsylvania residents could lose health insurance

Pennsylvania's state-run health insurance program for low-income residents could run out of money in the next few months. Easy To Insure ME has the answers

The adultBasic website warns its 43-thousand participants their coverage could stop at the end of February.

Pennsylvania's four Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance providers agreed in 2005 to fund the program through the end of this year, but a revenue source hasn't been agreed to for 2011 onward.

Governor Ed Rendell's spokesman, Gary Tuma, says the solutions are limited.

"If money were to be taken from the General Fund, that would require legislative action. And, of course, there's not a lot of excess money in the general fund right now, to put it mildly. Or, if funds were to be transferred from some other source, that would most likely require legislative action to approve some sort of fund transfer, assuming one could even be identified."

Tuma says the insurance companies could agree to kick in more money, beyond the extra funds they've already given to keep the program running through February.

Kevin Harley, spokesman for Governor-elect Tom Corbett says the new administration wants to see a short-term solution. Why? Because the new health care law will change the landscape.

"Certainly there's a lawsuit pending, but there are certain provisions that will take effect prior to 2014. And that's when the law's supposed to take full effect. There are some that will take effect before that. That will be a priority for Governor Corbett when he takes office, is sitting down and developing a plan and a solution."

A spokesman for Pittsburgh-based Highmark Blue Cross says the company is paying 32 million dollars more than it initially agreed to, in order to extend adultBasic into 2011. Mike Weinstein says Highmark and the three other Blue Cross/Blue Shield affiliates want to see a more widespread funding formula, if adultBasic goes forward.

Tobacco settlement money also funds adultBasic, but that revenue source is shrinking as well.

POST COMMENT

Health Insurance Reform Weekly Easy To Insure ME Breast Reduction Covered by Insurance? Why Buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan 4 Things You Should Know About New Jersey Commercial Insurance Homeowners Insurance Directory Offering Lifetime Memberships for Insurance Agents Nj Home Insurance The Importance Of It And Ways To Save Medical Insurance In Dubai Medicare Supplement Insurance coverage Charges Could be Compared On-line Important Benefits of Short Term Car Insurance How to Compare Car Insurance in Oregon Why do you need an Annual Multi Trip Insurance? The Annual Multi Trip Insurance and Who Really Needs This Cover Annual Travel Insurance Policy-the Best Holiday Gateway Insurance Cover