I received an email from my state representative, David Millard (R), today talking about how a bill going through the PA legislature would be bad. This bill was for expanding AdultBASIC, which in PA is like CHIP for adults. Follow me across the divide to see the letter, and my response.
His email with '#)' to show the formatting that did not carry over added(I do not support this)
Skyrocketing Costs for
Universal Health Care?
House Bill 1 - the Democrats' number one priority of this session - would expand the state's AdultBasic program in an effort to meet the health insurance needs of Pennsylvanians, even though 92 percent of state residents are covered by some type of health insurance plan. The AdultBasic program was created in 2001 to serve as a health care safety net, not as a health care entitlement program.
Top 10 Flaws of House Bill 1:
- There's no long-term price tag. How do we know who and what's going to pay for it if we don't know how much it's going to cost?
- Three major sources of funding defined in the bill may not be there in the future: Tobacco Settlement money is slowing; with fewer people smoking, tax revenue on cigarettes are dropping; and there is no guarantee of any federal funds.
- All this and they still only address less one-third of the AdultBasic waiting list.
- This is, essentially, an expansion of Medicaid. This government-run health care system is a mess. Too much money helping too few people.
- Was rammed through committee and onto House floor too quickly. When was the last time that made for positive public policy? No benefit of any public hearings.
- Completely depends on approval from the federal government, yet federal officials say the proposal does not meet the requirements of its waiver program, and the feds have denied states relying on similar funding sources. A denial of federal dollars allows even less money to work with.
- Puts a new tax on existing health care insurance policies, thereby encouraging employers to drop private coverage and force more people on government-run plans.
- Adds high-ticket services that will skyrocket the cost to taxpayers.
- Puts government in charge of health care decisions, not the patients and their doctors.
- Will inevitably lead to rationing of health care services. More patients in the government-run health care delivery system plus a finite number of health care professionals equals long wait times.
To learn more about the House Republican Health Care Task Force's proposal to increase access and affordability to health care in Pennsylvania, visit PAHouseGOP.com/healthcare.
Rep. Millard,
I wish to provide my thoughts on some of the issues that you bring up in this letter. I will be addressing certain points from your email, and I hope you give them serious thought.
- why is it only a problem that we wont know the end cost when it comes to providing a service? Some politicians are so quick to jump on the budget dollars a program is projected, but when things like tax cuts come up, they are all for it no matter how much the government would lose on it! Maybe this will help save money in Bankruptcy court by having fewer Pennsylvanians having to go through it since more of them would have medical insurance.
- I understand what you are saying, and even though cigarettes provide a nice tax, it is good less people are smoking. I am going to give you some ideas on where to raise this money. First, TAX SMOKELESS/CHEW TOBACCO! Second, raise the tax on cigarettes. If this causes more people to quit, that is a bonus. Third, maybe you could move some money from the Liquor Control Board to funding this. Wouldn't it be great for more of PA's 'sin' taxes to help? Providing a service that does good for ALL Pennsylvanians paid for by those who like tobacco and alcohol.
- Some is better than none! Imagine being able to get more people insurance so that they could get preventative care. Also, this might help take care of the Patient Pay (TD22 MNO) type cases in PA that some of these adults end up getting in case of emergency from the PA Department of Welfare. Finally, I think its funny that you refer to this at the top of the email as Universal Healthcare but admit it will only add up to 33% of the AdultBasic waiting list (none of them have insurance)
- If you think that the Medicaid program is helping 'too few', let it help more people! PA as a state has the mentality of 'F YOU' if you are an adult and not pregnant.
- I can see where you would want more time, but is covering more Pennsylvanians bad public policy?
- An excellent reason why you should be working with Senators Casey and Specter emphasizing why a Strong Public Option or (even better) Single Payer healthcare is so important to this country. It even has the upside of the issue moving to the federal level.
- I have noticed less of my friends getting jobs that include insurance at all. I dont know if this is a side effect of more employers moving from full time to primarily part time positions, but if a company is serious about recruiting or maintaining employees, I dont think they will all just up and drop their insurance plans. This issue is also another good reason to work with Senators Casey and Specter to get those insurance options for people so it is not employer based AT ALL!
- What high ticket items? Poor/underprivilidged people getting insurance and maybe going to a regular doctor for checkups instead of the ER for everything?
- this statement is ridiculous. If you think insurance companies dont dictate what the doctor can and cannot do, I have a bridge to sell you. In all seriousness, why don't you open a request with your constituents and ask for stories from those who ARE insured and ask them about their insurance denials, 'mix ups',and flat out horror stories.
- When I call my doctor for a routine visit, they tell me the waiting time is 3 months. Specialists might not be better. And my insurance is through BC/BS with PEBTF!
For these reasons, I am going to ask that you please support the effort to get more Pennsylvanians the healthcare that they need!
Thank you,
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