Posted: | October 28, 2015 05:01 PM |
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From: | Representative Pamela A. DeLissio |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Pennsylvania Health Care Plan |
I am introducing legislation to establish the Pennsylvania Health Care Plan. Similar legislation has been introduced on at least 3 occasions in the House over the past 7 years. This legislation sets out a blueprint of bold steps that will result in a healthier citizenry at a lower cost with no co-pays, deductibles or premiums or concern about networks and with the freedom and flexibility to choose their health care providers. This legislation is possible because the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allows states the option to innovate with their own health care plan as long as the proposed plan is more economical and efficient. This proposed legislation meets that criteria. This option for the states to innovate becomes available in 2017. This legislation improves upon our current health care delivery system in many ways. First and foremost, it preserves the private practice of medicine and the right of patients to choose their healthcare providers. Briefly, the Pennsylvania Health Care Plan is a system in which the Pennsylvania Health Care Agency administers a plan that ensures the cost effective delivery of covered services that range from catastrophic care to wellness and preventative care. Health Care Providers would have autonomy over patient care. The program will be supported by the savings realized from replacing today’s less than efficient, often profit-oriented, multiple payer system with a streamlined Pennsylvania Health Care Trust Fund. The Pennsylvania Health Care Trust Fund will be funded by a 10% employer tax paid on payroll and a 3% personal income tax. Using our respective Caucuses as an example, we would save millions in health insurance costs if we were to pay an amount equal to 10% of our payroll. A benefit to Plan participants is knowing definitively their healthcare cost exposure for the year. This is a complex topic and I will be hosting a number of informational sessions to answer questions and to get your input. I have also attached a chart that depicts the organizational structure of the Plan and highlights how the Plan would function. |
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View Attachment |
Introduced as HB1688