Blog
Healthy PA Update
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Your emails made a difference!
WE DID IT! Health care coverage will now be available for over 600,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians thanks to your efforts!
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In the late summer, the Federal Government approved a revised version of Healthy PA. They took our comments into consideration and ended up adopting more than 80% of them! Governor Corbett’s Healthy PA plan originally included:
- Punitive waiting periods for people who miss their monthly payments
- Work or work-search requirements for people to qualify for health care
But thanks to your comments, these harmful aspects of the plan were taken out!
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We’ve made significant progress on healthcare access in Pennsylvania. Beginning December 1st, 2014 people below 138% of the federal poverty line (nearly $16,000 for an individual or about $32,000 for a family or four) can enroll and start receiving coverage as of January 1st, 2015!
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While we’ve made a lot of progress, there is still more work to be done. In the coming months the Pennsylvania decision makers will be debating further changes to the plan, which still includes these problematic provisions:
- Imposes premiums and cuts on people with very little income, including current enrollees
- Places restrictions and caps on services
- Does not cover 19 or 20 year olds—and they aren’t covered by CHIP either!
- Creates two systems for users to navigate, thereby increasing the potential for people to get lost in the cracks
We need your continued support to fight for adequate and affordable healthcare for everyone! Sign the petition to let Governor Corbett and the legislatures know that you commit to preserving and protecting coverage for all Medicaid enrollees and oppose cutting benefits. Our friends at Pennsylvania Health Care Access Network and Community Legal Services put together these helpful resources to understand the potential for future cuts.
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Healthy PA is subject to a lot of changes with the upcoming Pennsylvania Governor’s race. To see the candidates’ responses to questions about Housing, Jobs, and Healthcare check out the nonpartisan voter’s guide put together by the Vote for Homes Coalition.
