Testimony: Judith Solomon before the PA House Insurance Committee on House Bill 700, the Pennsylvania Health Care Reform Act


 

Publication Date: May 2007

Publisher: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Judith Solomon

Research Area: Health

Keywords: Economic projections; State budgets; Health insurance; Health care costs

Type: Report

Coverage: Pennsylvania

Abstract:

Pennsylvania’s plan appears complex. It is important, however, that the plan be considered as a whole. Even though it appears to have a number of separate components, the provisions of House Bill 700 need to be considered as an integrated plan. As a whole, the plan would reduce the number of uninsured state residents through a new program called Cover All Pennsylvanians, while taking into account the state's fiscal capacity and the need to be mindful of how ERISA limits a state's choices in health care reform. The components of the plan are interdependent and making significant changes or eliminating any of the plan’s key components could undermine the state's chance for a successful effort at achieving the goals of the plan to lower the costs of health care while at the same time raising quality and increasing affordability and accessibility.