Over 500k Pennsylvanians Would Be Penalized If Corbett Does Not Take Action / Expansion Would Allow Governor to Pursue Reforms Without Denying Care to Thousands
Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on Governor Tom Corbett to expand Medicaid while continuing to work on his broader Medicaid reform plan. Failure to expand Medicaid before January 1, 2014 would unnecessarily penalize 500,000 Pennsylvanians who would be caught in a coverage gap because their incomes are below 100% of the federal poverty level.
“Expanding Medicaid is the right thing to do,” said Senator Casey. “It would ensure 500,000 Pennsylvanians are covered, while the Governor continues to pursue broader Medicaid reforms.”
The text of Senator Casey’s letter can be found below:
The Honorable Tom Corbett
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Dear Governor Corbett:
I wanted to write today regarding the need to expand the Medicaid program in Pennsylvania. A failure to do so would unnecessarily penalize 500,000 Pennsylvanians by preventing access to quality health care coverage. Unfortunately, if Pennsylvania does not expand Medicaid on January 1, 2014, many of these individuals will be caught in a coverage gap because their incomes are below 100% of the federal poverty level.
I appreciate that you included Medicaid expansion in your broader Medicaid reform plan and that you have reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on this issue, however, I understand as of last week you had not formally submitted a waiver request. Accordingly, I urge you to expand Medicaid under the parameters of the Affordable Care Act, while continuing to engage with HHS on this. Expanding Medicaid on January 1, 2014 would allow you to pursue broader reforms without denying access to quality, affordable care to thousands of Pennsylvanians.
This decision is yours alone to make. I urge you to move forward and expand the Medicaid program.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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