Health Law

Pennsylvania Governor Softens Position on MCare Subsidies

By Todd A. Rodriguez

Much to the chagrin of practicing Pennsylvania physicians, the issue of MCare premium subsidies became a political football earlier this month when Governor Ed Rendell said he would not approve the 2008 MCare subsidy until Pennsylvania lawmakers acted on his proposal to expand the state insurance program to uninsured adults.  The proposal calls for using a portion of the MCare surplus to pay for the expanded insurance benefits.  However, according to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Governor Rendell is considering allowing physicians to delay paying their MCare premiums until the debate over the proposed program is resolved and the MCare subsidy legislation is officially extended.  This approach, according to the Governor, likely makes better sense than requiring the premiums to be paid and then later refunding them.  Stay tuned ...  

Full post as published by Physician Law on December 17, 2007 (boomark / email).