Every day working families are faced with an increasing number of challenges as health care costs continue to rise and as more and more individuals are struggling to find quality and affordable health insurance. Health care reform is one of the primary focuses in the upcoming presidential election.
Right now, however, we have an opportunity to provide affordable and accessible health insurance to several thousand people right here in Pennsylvania. In March, the state House voted with bipartisan support to send to the Senate a health care bill that would provide health insurance to over 250,000 individuals in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care (SB 1137) is currently awaiting action by the Senate.
Funding for the ABC program would not require an increase in income, business or sales taxes. Most of its funding streams are noncontroversial and come from employer/employee contributions and federal matching dollars. The ABC program creates a pathway for individuals to secure a health care plan with a primary care physician. System-wide, this model of service delivery is much less costly than a crisis-driven approach that relies on emergency room services and hospital beds.
PA ABC is a good first step. The time to act is now. Please call or write state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf today and urge him to support Senate Bill 1137. Every day the Senate waits to act on this legislation is another day someone in Pennsylvania goes without health insurance.
Lisa Romaniello, commissioner Upper Moreland Township
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