I wrote this op-ed for Antoinette Kraus, who signed it when it was published by the Pottsville Mercury on June 30, 2008.
Poll and poll shows that, after the economy, health care is the issue of greatest concern to people in our state. It doesn’t really matter whether people have health insurance or don’t have it; whether people are poor or rich; whether they are Democrats or Republicans.
So why is the Republican leadership of the State Senate standing in the way of SB 1137 and HB 2005, two bills that would expand health insurance for the uninsured and reduce health insurance costs for those of us who have health insurance?
Two weeks ago the Republicans put forward a series of bills that had some good ideas, some of which were similar to those put forward by Governor Rendell 18 months ago. That was a welcome step to bi-partisanship.
But at the center the Republican plan were proposals to rely on health clinics and volunteer physicians to provide health care to the uninsured.
Those proposals have been, quite rightly, ridiculed for their failure to provide the kind of care that people really need.
But whatever their failure in coming up with a good solution, the Republicans should be commended for recognizing, first, that the large numbers of uninsured in Pennsylvania create a problem for all of us and, second, that it make sense to use some of the Health Care Provider Retention Account Surplus to address it.
So now that Democrats and Republicans have agreed that there is a problem and that money exists to solve it, it is time for the Republican leadership in the Senate to take another look at the PA ABC and health insurance reform bills. It is very hard to understand why health care reform has become a partisan issue in Pennsylvania.
–It’s not as if these two bills are radical in nature. SB 1137 expands the popular and effective AdultBasic program, renames it PA ABC, includes coverage of prescription drugs, preventive care, and mental health care and insures 270,000 new people. HB 2005 prohibits insurance companies from charging more to people with pre-existing medical conditions and women of child bearing ages.
–It’s not as if these two bills contain only Democratic ideas. AdultBasic was created under Governor Tom Ridge, a Republican. The proposed insurance regulations are found in almost every state, including those that are controlled by Republicans. Democrats and Republicans in the House improved on the Governor’s initial proposals. And the federal government under Republican President Bush has to approve PA ABC before it goes into effect.
–It’s not as if these bills hurt the groups that support Republicans. Businesses both small and large will benefit from insuring the uninsured and regulating insurance companies. Under SB 1137 small businesses that already provide health insurance will be eligible for a tax rebate. Hospitals and doctors will benefit when the uninsured can pay for care and from the MCare provisions in the bill.
–It’s not as if these bills help people who don’t deserve it. The vast majority of people covered under these bills work and will pay a share of the cost for their health insurance.
–It’s not as if the bills will raise income, business, or sales taxes. They only require a small increase in tobacco taxes.
–It’s not as if the bills create a large new public bureaucracy. They will be administered, as AdultBasic is, by one of the Blues or a for-profit insurance company.
–It’s not as if Republicans don’t support these bills. Both SB 1137 and SB 2005 received votes from State Representatives in both parties.
So what is the problem? Is it that the Republican leadership is playing politics with health care? Is it that they simply won’t support two bills that came out of a House of Representatives controlled by Democrats and supported by Governor Rendell?
Whatever the reason, it now looks like the legislature is going to leave for their summer break without acting on health care reform.
But the pressure for reform is not going to die. So here is my suggestion for Senate Republicans: Claim these bills as you own. Make a few more improvements to them that health care advocates, hospitals and doctors would support, renumber them, and put your names on them. Bring to them floor. And, after they receive enormous support, claim victory for leading the way to bi-partisan, moderate health care reform.
That’s the right thing to do. And, as they say, it has the additional advantage of being true. For these moderate, common sense health care bills would benefit everyone in the state. They should not be a source of partisan dispute.