Universal health care: Advocate discusses Pennsylvania single-payer plan
By CHRIS KELLY
The Evening Sun
02/07/2008
Imagine a world without worrying if a doctor could see you - or if you could pay the bill. A world where all Pennsylvanians can afford health care.
That’s the world discussed Wednesday night by Chuck Pennachio at Gettysburg Area Democracy for America’s meeting.
Pennachio, the executive director of Healthcare for All Pennsylvania and a former candidate for U.S. Senate, told the group the effort to bring universal health care to all Americans started decades ago with former President Harry Truman. He says it would have made America better. A similar plan was proposed by presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton in the early 1990s. Pennachio told the group that gathered in a room inside Valentine Hall at the Lutheran Theological Seminary that two health-care-reform plans - collectively dubbed the Family and Business Health Care Security Act - are making their way through the state Legislature as Senate Bill 300 and House Bill 1660.
The act would replace the existing health-insurance system, which typically
grants coverage through a person’s employer, with a government-run system known as single-payer universal health care. Single-payer health care would be paid for with existing state and federal funds, a 10-percent payroll contribution from all employers and a 3-percent personal income tax. The money would be paid into the Pennsylvania Health Trust and be used exclusively for health care, Pennachio said.
“I’m very intrigued by (the act),” said Elaine Jones, chairwoman for the Gettysburg Area Democracy for America, a self-described a grassroots network looking to re-establish democratic values. “I think it should be debated in Pennsylvania and I think it could be a wonderful solution,” Jones said.
If approved by the Legislature and Gov. Ed Rendell, the plan would result in a huge savings for most individuals and employers.
“Although that does sound like much, we are paying at least double that for health care now,” Pennachio said.
Savings would result from the elimination of for-profit and growth-driven insurance companies that tack on extra payments, Pennachio said. It would reduce the cost of billing and collection and do away with managed-care systems that dictate which doctors patients can see, he said.
“Employees would be able to go to a different job if they wanted,” Pennachio said. “There would be no scare of not being able to afford health coverage.”
He said the plan would eliminate the cost of private insurance plans, co-pays and deductibles.
Jones said the group was glad Pennachio provided them with more information on the act.
“The only way (health-care reform) can happen is if concerned citizens learn the facts and get their representatives to do the right thing,” she said.
The Family and Business Health Care Security Act needs 102 of 203 votes in the House, 26 of 50 in the Senate, and the governor of Pennsylvania to approve the bill in order for it to become law.
Pennachio says this is an easy bill to pass if the citizens want it. He said community members should lobby their state legislators and make them aware that that they support the bill.
Tim Macchio’s comment: Remember that the taxes would replace the existing premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
For more information, visit http://www.healthcare4allpa.org