Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today wrote to Gov.-elect Tom Corbett and the other Caucus Leaders urging a meeting as soon as possible on funding for adultBasic health insurance. The letter said:
As you know, the adultBasic program, which provides affordable health insurance for more than 40,000 Pennsylvanians, will expire on February 28, 2011 if we fail to act. I write to request a meeting of all four caucus leaders at your earliest convenience with Governor-Elect Corbett to discuss all potential alternatives to maintain adequate insurance coverage for these families.
The program shortfall is estimated at $55 million. The loss of this coverage would have a devastating impact on these low income working families who rely on the program's health care coverage.
The health insurance program was created by the Ridge Administration and has been supported over the years by all four legislative caucuses. It would be unconscionable to allow adultBasic to falter without making an extraordinary effort to preserve the program and protect those who desperately rely on its benefits.
We realize efforts have been made to fashion the extension of health care insurance for participants through Highmark's Special Care program. This suggestion, while well-intentioned, comes with a premium cost that may be too expensive for many adultBasic enrollees.
We believe there are other options and would like to discuss these suggestions with the four caucus leaders. At this meeting, we would be able to exchange thoughts and ideas on ways to solve this funding problem.
In order to share ideas and find an alternative that would provide low cost, high quality health care without jeopardizing health care insurance for tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families, I am requesting a four-caucus meeting of leaders with Governor-Elect Corbett as soon as it can be arranged.
Please advise me of your interest in this discussion at your earliest possible convenience.
