Two Reactions to Corbett's Medicaid Announcement

from the inbox, two reactions to Corbett's Medicaid announcement:

Family Planning Council released the following statement in response to Governor Tom Corbett’s Healthy Pennsylvania plan and Medicaid expansion announcement:

 “We are heartened to hear that conversations about expanding health care coverage are moving forward and that negotiations are in progress.  As a safety-net provider serving the most vulnerable populations regardless of their coverage levels, the details related to implementation and health care access are very important to us.  In Family Planning Council’s network of family planning clients alone, Medicaid expansion would mean up to 32,500 consumers could be eligible for full health coverage under Medicaid.  Without this coverage, significant numbers of people who live in our service area will remain uninsured for critical coverage, exacerbating health disparities in our communities.  

We will review carefully the details of Healthy Pennsylvania and monitor the impact of today’s announcements.  As a member of the Cover the Commonwealth campaign, we will continue our long-standing commitment to advocating for Medicaid expansion in Pennsylvania.”    

 -          Melissa Weiler Gerber, executive director of Family Planning Council

Family Planning Council advances sexual and reproductive health outcomes to promote health equity for individuals, families and communities. For more information about Family Planning Council programs, visit www.familyplanning.org,

and

Governor Corbett  has announced his support of expanding health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid Expansion.

Antoinette Kraus, Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network issued the following statement in response:

"It is good to see Governor Corbett acknowledge the reality that a majority of Pennsylvanians already understand: Medicaid Expansion is vital to the health of Pennsylvania families, and to our economy. 

Expanding coverage right away will not only protect 613,000 low-income Pennsylvanians who will finally have access to stable, affordable health coverage, it will also generate $522 million in state budget savings in 2014 and keep us on track to create 35,000 new, good-paying jobs across the Commonwealth.

Today’s announcement is a good first step, but that path forward will determine whether or not the Corbett Administration does this in a way that will truly benefit Pennsylvania families and taxpayers.

The governor should not use this opportunity to expand coverage to strip protections and benefits from seniors, children, and people with disabilities who are currently covered by Medicaid. Expanding coverage for some while reducing coverage for others is not a responsible plan. The governor should not put more obstacles in the path of hardworking Pennsylvanians or set the price of coverage so high that it remains unaffordable.

We will continue to work with our partners and lawmakers to ensure Pennsylvania takes full advantage of the cost-savings and benefits under Medicaid Expansion. The time for delay is over."