Our entire healthcare system must be reformed. For too many years we have tried to contain rising costs while refusing to fix a broken system. Over 1.2 million Pennsylvanians are currently living without health insurance and many more are underinsured. Families are being forced to choose between mortgage payments or visits to the doctor. Businesses are struggling to remain competitive while they watch their annual insurance payments rise by more than 10%. Meanwhile, skilled physicians are leaving Pennsylvania for other states. Insurance companies are telling them how to practice medicine because they are more concerned with profits than with caring for patients. Perhaps worst of all, the state of Pennsylvania is responsible for over $13.5 billion dollars in health coverage for retirees that it is unable to fund.
Fortunately, there is a reasonable answer to all of these problems. The Family and Business Health Security Act (Senate Bill #300) will provide comprehensive healthcare for all Pennsylvanians. The bill which has many sponsors in both the House and Senate would eliminate wasteful spending in our healthcare system by eliminating the middle man. The health insurance industry spends up to 30% of our payments on administrative costs; by comparison a public trust could perform the same function while spending 5% on administrative costs.
By building a system that requires all pay, the costs will drastically be reduced for all involved. Businesses currently spend significant amounts on health insurance for their employees; almost all businesses would save money under this plan by paying a fixed amount, 10% of their payroll. Our citizens will pay 3% of their income; which is far less than most are currently paying. An individual who makes $50,000 per year will pay $125.00 per month.
By passing this bill Pennsylvania can not only solve one of the biggest problems facing our state but also serve as an example for other states to follow. When I am elected to the Senate I will sign on to the bill and fight hard for its passage through the Senate.
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