Medical Society Sends Lifeline for Mcare Relief
While the General Assembly has been on recess this week, Pennsylvania Medical Society leaders and lobbyists have been working almost round the clock to advocate for Mcare relief, hoping to break the continuing impasse between Gov. Rendell and Senate Republicans.
In a message to membership on Oct. 2, the State Society asked all physicians to contact their state senators while they were in their home districts, as well as Gov. Rendell’s office at (717) 787-2500. Members and others can find legislators’ local offices and contact information on Capwiz.
The message to the governor and state senators is simple: Act now to craft a compromise plan that contains Mcare relief and a sustainable, incremental solution to expand coverage for the uninsured.
With only three session days remaining next week, and the push by the medical community in its final hours, the broad coalition of physicians, hospitals, and others has worked together to resolve a number of issues, and to keep intense pressure on the senate and the governor. The Pennsylvania Medical Society sent a letter Oct. 2, signed jointly with the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society (POS), to Gov. Rendell and Senate leaders urging a compromise solution that is sustainable, incremental, and fiscally sound.
Gov. Rendell’s most recent proposal would add 250,000 to the state’s existing adultBasic program and provide Mcare relief. However, Senate Republican leaders, despite continuing discussions with the governor, continued to be concerned about funding for the governor’s proposals.
A statement to members said, “The Society believes that a potential solution is to enact the program but link enrollment to approved and sustainable revenue sources.”
Such a compromise would provide a better solution for physicians, hospitals, and patients than current law.
The Administration’s compromise proposal largely incorporates the three essential components necessary to resolve the issues:
- Phase-out of Mcare coverage in manageable increments
- Continuation of the abatement program through the phase-out period
- Protected funds dedicated to fully retire the unfunded liability
Last Updated: 10/8/2008