Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters 3rd Quarter 2008 Legislative Report

These are some of the issues on which PAHU worked this year. Please note the PAHU positions: P for Pro, A for Against, and NA for no position taken.

1. Access to Basic Care (ABC) is done for this session but will return in January more closely resembling the original inclusive Cover All Pennsylvanians. This remains Governor Rendell's top priority. (A)
2. Expansion of HIPP-like program to help low income employees with their share of premiums - included in ABC legislation (P)
3. Reauthorization of PA Health Care Cost containment Council (PHC4) was not achieved. Its life goes until 11/30/08 unless Governor Rendell extends his executive order. Money is there thru 6/30/09. (P)
4. Reauthorization of MCARE abatement fund (to help doctors pay for medical malpractice insurance) did not occur because of the Governor's insistence that its surplus be tapped to help fund ABC. The fund expired on 12/31/07 and doctors who signed an agreement to stay in PA will soon be free to move elsewhere if they choose. (P)
5. Dependent to age 30 passed the Senate, not the House. An earlier bill to do the same passed the House, not the Senate. (A)
6. Mini-COBRA passed the Senate, not the House. (NA)
7. Insurers not paying for foreseeable adverse events (medical mistakes) passed the House, not the Senate. (NA)
8. Prohibiting medical underwriting passed the House, not the Senate. (NA)
9. An 85% ratio passed the House, not the Senate. (A)
10. Consolidation of school district health plans into a state plan did not make it to the House floor. (A)
11. Mandated benefits of colorectal screening and autism is now law (from last summer) (A)
12. Blues merger still being reviewed by the Insurance Department. (NA)
13. Consumer Advocate for Health Insurance did not pass the House. (A)
14. Agent CHIP marketing- no action although there was a hearing (P)
15. Risk pools - no action although there was a hearing (P)
16. Expanding Clinics as emergency room alternative - no action (P)
17. Tax credits for HSA deductions being assisted by employers (P)
18. Mandatory premium discount for wellness program (NA)...we like the concept, not the mandatory.
19. Single payer - no action although there was a hearing (A)
20. Adding doctor price transparency to PHC4 - no action (P)

To all intents and purposes the General Assembly session is over although there will be some session days after the election.

Great Job LegCom!!!