Single Payer

Green Party of Pennsylvania applauds State Senator James Ferlo and Healthcare 4 All PA for persistence regarding state-based Single Payer Legislation.

 

Pittsburgh-area legislator to introduce Family and Business Healthcare Security bill in current legislative session, while Healthcare 4 All releases results of Economic Impact Study. 

 

            The Green Party of Pennsylvania extends its sincere gratitude to Senator James Ferlo of Pittsburgh for his continued work toward a state-based single payer plan.  During past legislative sessions Senator Ferlo has been the lead legislator in the Pennsylvania Senate on this issue.  The Greens also extend congratulations and appreciation to the non-profit organization, Healthcare 4 All PA, which has worked tirelessly to help Pennsylvanians on a path to meaningful and civilized health coverage.  In recent years Healthcare 4 All PA has provided information on the savings single payer offers Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts.  Many in the organization have also requested the Pennsylvania Legislature fund a study to determine the impact on the entire state economy, a request that was ignored.  So the group, through its own funding, commissioned an Economic Impact Study, conducted by Professor Gerald Friedman of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.  The results, released last week, are significant in the savings for individuals, government and business.  In all, Pennsylvania would save $17 billion yearly in health related expenditures, while providing full and comprehensive coverage to all Pennsylvanians.

 

            “The Green Party stands in solidarity with those working towards state sponsored single payer health care legislation.  We are often critical of politicians for doing wrong, but, Senator Ferlo is right in this case and we support his efforts.  We encourage both houses of the General Assembly to work quickly to pass this legislation.  Health Care for All Pa's Economic Impact Study proves the economic benefit.  In fact, passage of this legislation would provide real economic stimulus for the Commonwealth,” said Green Party Chair, Jay Sweeney.

 

            “Various forms of single payer exist in dozens of countries around the world.  It is time for Pennsylvanians to have that same healthcare security.  If passed, single payer healthcare would be the most significant anti-poverty legislation ever passed here.  Also, Pennsylvania workers would have more flexibility in employment, since health coverage would not be linked to specific employers,” suggested Katrina Brabham , Chair, Alleghany County Green Party.

 

            If passed, single payer would create a system in which a Pennsylvania Healthcare Trust will be the administrator of an all-inclusive health insurance.  The plan would provide coverage that includes medical care, prescription coverage, emergency transport, long-term care, addiction treatment, mental health, physical therapy, dental, vision and more.  The cost would be a 3% tax of income ($30 on every $1,000 earned) for those with income, and a 10% tax on gross payroll as the employer contribution.  In addition, state and federal funds used for medical purposes in Pennsylvania, would also go into the trust fund. Study available at www.Healthcare4allpa.org

 

 “The model is effective, and quite simple to understand.  Currently our state wastes tremendous amounts of money on administration, while for-profit insurance companies cash in on complex rules that often deny needed coverage to its policyholders.  A single payer plan has one risk pool of 13 million Pennsylvanians, with one administrator.  As opposed to the current private insurance system with dozens of companies, offering hundreds of plans; none of which are as complete single payer coverage.  Such comprehensive coverage is not available now, at any price,” said Green Party Steering Committee member, Carl Romanelli.

 

Among findings of Economic Impact Study:

 

If enacted, the Pennsylvania Health Plan would save $33 billion dollars in 2014, allowing for coverage of all Pennsylvanians while still netting $17 billion in savings over current costs.

 

The 3% tax on an individual’s income would provide a lower premium cost for more than 80% of Pennsylvania citizens.

 

Plan would have no additional premiums, deductibles or co-payments.

 

Plan would save local government and school districts 40 to 60% of current costs; more for municipalities or school districts with health insurance pension obligations.

 

Plan would create 120,000 to 200,000 new jobs.

 

Plan would allow patients access to doctors and hospitals of their choice, as opposed to the restrictive limitations placed on individuals by for-profit insurance.

 

Healthcare costs would be controlled and more predictable and prescription drugs could be purchased in larger quantities, thereby saving significantly over current practices.

 

Plan would put Pennsylvania on a path to sustainable healthcare for the future.  For example, during the past 20 years Pennsylvania healthcare costs have risen by $60 billion dollars.  However, the area of most pronounced growth has been in billing and administration, as opposed to actual improvements in healthcare.

Health Care Reform kicks in tomorrow

My view of HCR is that it didn't go far enough but this is a good start. We are are the only advanced country in the world that looks at health care as a business instead fo an obligation. There has to be a way for the richest country on earth to find a way to take of our people when they get sick without bankruppting them.

The White House press office is kind enough to send me press releases everyday so I thought I should post one of them. This one reminds us of all the good that HCR will do:


On March 23, 2010 President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. The landmark new law will put into place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will hold insurance companies accountable, lower health care costs, guarantee more health care choices, and enhance the quality of health care for all Americans.

On September 22, President Obama will mark the upcoming six month anniversary of the law’s enactment by meeting with Americans from across the country who will benefit from the new law and celebrate the implementation of the Patient’s Bill of Rights that was included in the Affordable Care Act.

Additionally, the Administration will release state-by-state reports detailing the impact of the Affordable Care Act and a revamped website – www.WhiteHouse.gov/HealthReform -- which includes information on the impact of the law and stories from Americans in all 50 states who are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act. Some of the participants whose stories are highlighted on the new website will include:

•Dawn Josephson, Dawn Josephson from Jacksonville, FL, who can now live with the security of knowing that her new insurance policy can’t exclude coverage for young her son who recently had eye surgery.
•Gail M. O’Brien from Keene, NH who was previously uninsured and diagnosed with high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Gail is enrolled in the new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan that will pay for her treatments and is responding very well.
Details on the Patient’s Bill of Rights and examples of how the Administration has already delivered benefits of the Affordable Care Act to the American people are included below.

A New Patient’s Bill of Rights

On September 23, critical new consumer protections in the new law – a Patient’s Bill of Rights -- begin to take effect. The Patient’s Bill of Rights puts an end to some of the worst insurance company abuses, and puts consumers, not insurance companies, in control of their health care. These new protections include:

Ban on Discriminating Against Kids with Pre-Existing Conditions:

Before reform, tens of the thousands of families had been denied insurance each year for their children because of an illness or condition. Starting September 23rd, plans cannot discriminate against kids with pre-existing conditions. In 2014, no one seeking coverage can be discriminated against because of a preexisting condition. Up to 72,000 uninsured children are expected to gain coverage by banning insurers from refusing them coverage due to a pre-existing condition. Coverage for up to 90,000 children will no longer exclude benefits because of a pre-existing condition.

Ban on Insurance Companies Dropping Coverage:

Before reform, insurance companies could cancel your coverage when you got sick and needed it most because of a simple mistake on your application. Starting September 23rd, insurance companies are banned from cutting off your coverage due to an unintentional mistake on your application. Approximately 10,700 people’s coverage, whose coverage is dropped each year because they get sick or make a technical mistake on their application, will be protected under the new law.

Ban on Insurance Companies Limiting Coverage:

Before reform, cancer patients and individuals suffering from other serious and chronic diseases were often forced to limit or go without treatment because of an insurer’s lifetime limit on their coverage. Starting September 23rd, insurance companies can no longer put a lifetime limit on the amount of coverage they provide, so families can live with the security of knowing that their coverage will be there when they need it most. Up to 20,400 people who typically hit their lifetime limits on the dollar amount that can be spent on coverage, along with the nearly 102 million enrollees who have policies with lifetime limits, will no longer have to worry about hitting their benefits caps. The use of annual dollar limits will be restricted, and in 2014will be banned completely. By 2013, up to 3,500 people will gain coverage as a result of the ban on annual limits that insurers impose on nearly 18 million people today.

Ban on Insurance Companies Limiting Choice of Doctors:

Before reform, insurance companies could decide which doctor you could go to. Starting September 23rd, if you purchase or join a new plan you have the right to choose your own doctor in your insurer network. Up to 88 million people will benefit from the provision that protects primary care provider choice by 2013.

Ban on Insurance Companies Restricting Emergency Room Care:

Before reform, insurance companies could limit which emergency room you could go to or charge you more if you went out of network. Starting September 23rd, if you purchase or join a new plan, those plans are banned from charging more for emergency services obtained out of network. Up to 88 million people will benefit from this provision.

Guarantee You a Right to Appeal:

Before reform, when insurers denied you coverage or restricted your treatment, you were left with few options to appeal. Starting September 23rd, if you purchase or join a new policy, you will be guaranteed the right to appeal insurance company decisions to an independent third party. Up to 88 million people will benefit from the new appeals process provisions by 2013.

Covering Young Adults on Parent’s Plan:

Starting September 23rd, young adults will be allowed to remain on their parent’s plan until their 26th birthday, unless they are offered coverage at work. Up to 2.4 million young adults, up to 1.8 million who are uninsured and nearly 600,000 who purchase coverage in the individual market, could gain coverage through their parents.

Covering Preventive Care With No Cost:

Starting September 23rd, if you join or purchase a new plan, you will receive recommended preventive care with no out-of-pocket cost. Services like mammograms, colonoscopies, immunizations, pre-natal and new baby care will be covered and insurance companies will be prohibited from charging deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance. Up to 88 million people will have access to preventive care with no out of pocket costs.

Six Months of Progress

In addition to implementing the Patient’s Bill of Rights, the Obama Administration has worked to deliver other benefits of reform to the American people. In the last six months, the Administration has:

Fought Waste, Fraud and Abuse: The Affordable Care Act includes robust new tools that will help fight fraud and protect taxpayer dollars. Using these new tools, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has pledged to cut Medicare’s error rate (the percentage of claims paid inappropriately) in half by 2012. A proposed regulation that implements the first round of Affordable Care Act policies to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud was issued on September 17.

Helped Fight Premium Increases: The Affordable Care Act also includes critical new resources and authorities to crack down on unjustified rate hikes. Today, 46 states are using resources under the new reform law to pass or strengthen premium rate review laws which will have a significant impact on keeping year-to-year increases in premiums low. In a number of states (California, Massachusetts, Maine) regulators have already reviewed and rejected these proposed increases. We expect this pattern to continue. The Administration has also been working on rules that require insurance companies to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on health care instead of overhead, salaries or administrative expenses, in 2011. If they fail to do so, they will be required to provide rebates to consumers.

Offered Support for Small Businesses: Under the Affordable Care Act, up to 4 million small businesses nationwide could qualify for a small business tax credit this year, which will provide a total of $40 billion in relief for small firms over the next 10 years. Small businesses have been notified of these tax credits and can make plans knowing the credits will help bring down their health care costs.

Helped Make Prescription Drugs More Affordable: More than 1 million seniors who have fallen into the prescription drug coverage gap known as the donut hole have received $250 rebate checks. The checks are the first step toward closing the donut hole in 2020.

Launched a New Website to Make it Easier to Find Coverage: On July 1, the Administration launched www.HealthCare.gov. www.Healthcare.gov is a new, easy to use website that helps consumers take control of their health care and make the choices that are right for them by putting the power of information at their fingertips. The website is the first of its kind to bring information and links to health insurance plans and other coverage options to one place, making it easier for consumers to learn about their insurance options. The site includes extensive, easy to understand information about patients’ rights, how to navigate the current insurance market, and how the Affordable Care Act will help them. A Spanish language version – www.CuidadodeSalud.gov – was launched on September 8, and additional pricing information will be added on October 1.

Started Covering Individuals With Pre-Existing Conditions: On July 1, the Administration announced the establishment of the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Program to provide coverage for eligible Americans who have been uninsured for six months because of a pre-existing condition. Coverage started in 47 states by August, and will be provided in all states by the end of September.

Provided Employers Support to Cover Early Retirees: On August 31, the Administration announced that over 2,000 employers and unions across all fifty states had been approved to receive help to pay for their early retirees’ health care through the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. This program will help many older Americans, who are not yet eligible for Medicare, continue to have quality affordable coverage through their employer

Adult Basic Sings the Blues! Wilkes- Barre

Save Health Insurance for 46,000 Pennsylvanians! Meet up outside Blue Cross of Northeast PA, 19 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre 18711, tomorrow at noon, to stand up and tell the PA "Blues" to fulfill their obligation to the public! The PA Blues now have a $6.5 Billion surplus stashed away, and yet they are refusing to continue funding the Adult Basic program! This program provides affordable health insurance now for 42,957 Pennsylvanians, and a shocking total of 397,671 are on the waiting list. These folks, mostly working people who don't make enough to afford insurance, will be able to get federal health insurance in 2014, but in the meantime they may be left without any coverage if this program isn't renewed.

We'll be releasing a new report by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center at this event and have a chance to hear from people who are at risk of losing the only insurance they can get.

CV: When the legislative session started in 2009, House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-116, Hazleton, introduced House Bill 1 as the vehicle to expand the AdultBasic health care program to include an additional 85,000 jobless Pennsylvanians between 19 and 64. The measure passed the House last year, but last summer's budget stalemate prevented further action.

Now program supporters have lowered their sights. Mr. Eachus is concerned the 50,000 individuals currently enrolled in AdultBasic will lose benefits when a state law requiring financial support from the Blue Cross insurers expires. He is seeking bridge funding until the new federal health care law takes effect.

"Now we are just striving to keep the current program whole," said Eachus spokesman Brett Marcy.

Pennsylvania Health Access Network

The Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) is a state-wide coalition that fights for state-level and national health care reforms to improve access to quality, affordable health care for all Pennsylvanians. Since the passage of the national reform package, they have been leading efforts across the state to increase education around the benefits of reform.
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Their weekly policy call series is open to everyone and is a great way to access information about specific aspects of reform and how it will impact you. Calls hosted by PHAN take place every Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM. This Wednesday the call is on Rural Health and Health Care Reform with Jon Bailey, Director of Research and Analysis at the Center for Rural Affairs.
This line-up for upcoming calls is as follows:
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6/23- High Risk Pools and adultBasic - Hear about PA’s proposal for High Risk Pools, including who will be eligible and what the coverage will entail. Also, get updates on the fight to save adultBasic and 43,000 Pennsylvanians from losing their health care coverage.
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6/30 - Maternal Health and Health Care Reform – with Letty Thall, Public Policy Director of Maternal Care Coalition.
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7/7 – Messaging and Health Care Reform – Bring your questions on specific aspects of reform to this call. Learn from PHAN staff about how to talk about health care reform to others including specific messaging techniques.
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For dial-in instructions/to RSVP/with questions email Athena at aford@philaup.org.

I'm not dead yet

I want to thank the staff at the W-B General Hospital for fixing me up and all my friends for the well wishes in the comments, emails and phone calls. I'm resuming my normal activities today with some behavior modifications to prevent a recurrence. We should be back to our regularly scheduled programming in the next few days.

Health Care Rally on Public Square

PR: This notice is posted to advise of the June 19, day of protest against the health insurance companies. Pennsylvania seems to be the state with the most activity for the rallies. There are events scheduled for Wilkes-Barre, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Lancaster.
In Pennsylvania we are using the day to promote the PA Single Payer legislation, HR 1660 and SB 300. If passed this legislation would create a single payer system in Pennsylvania and put Blue Cross, and all health insurance companies, out of business.

In Wilkes-Barre we are having a rally and a press conference, and we are marching to our local Blue Cross office to protest. We have strong support from the PA Association of Staff Nurses, Wyoming Valley Labor Council, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, and the Luzerne County Green Party. This is a profound opportunity for Pennsylvania to fix health care properly.

The W-B event will take place at noon on the 19th on Public Square.

More info at NEPA Organizing Center

The Pennsylvania Progressive has the details of rallies that are scheduled all over the state:

Health Care Rallies June 19th

Health Care event in Wilkes-Barre

Chuck Pennacchio will be in town to push for a single payer system on Thursday sponsored by the Northeastern PA Organizing Center at 198 S. Main St. Wilkes-Barre, PA, 6PM.

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From a release:

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The NEPA Organizing Center will sponsor our first Universal Health Care Campaign event on Thursday, May 8th, at 6:00 p.m. The event will be held at the newly opened center, located at 198 S. Main St in Wilkes-Barre. Refreshments will be provided.

Event details:

6:00 Introduction and screening of segments of Michael Moore’s Sicko.

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7:00 Presentation by Chuck Pennacchio, Executive Director, Health Care 4 all PA, on the statewide movement for Single Payer Health Care legislation in PA.

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7:30 Presentation by Frank Sindaco, Coordinator of the NEPA Organizing Center and Media Mobilizing Project (MMP) of NEPA, on our Universal Health Care Campaign and local organizing efforts.

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8:00 Discussion Groups/Next Steps