Posted on 11/22/2010 4:43:52 AM PST by Cricket24
When the state launched a new health insurance program Sept. 1 specifically aimed for people with pre-existing conditions and no coverage, officials were not sure what to expect.
As it turns out, Pennsylvanians are leading the country in the number of sign-ups. Even so, fewer than half of the available slots have been filled, and some experts are saying many who are eligible are not aware that such coverage exists.
By Nov. 1, there were 1,657 people signed up for what is called PA Fair Care, a high-risk insurance pool for uninsured individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, said state Department of Insurance spokeswoman Melissa Fox. The state is expecting about $160 million in federal funding for the program over the next five years. Initially, the program can cover about 3,500 people, Fox said.
Every state is required to offer a "temporary high-risk health insurance pool program," under federal health care legislation signed into law in March. Pennsylvania is one of 27 states that have opted to run their own pool; programs in the remaining 23 states and Washington, D.C. are being administered by the federal government.
It’s subsidized..which makes it just another Medicaid program
Premium is $283 a month. The program gets phased out in 2013 and a new one takes over. Hmmmm
This is a state that elected Mothra and Sphincter several times in a row.
“Insurance” plans for pre-existing conditions are not insurance plans. Insurance is for things that you are not expecting that just happen.
If you have a pre-existing condition, that’s something to budget for.
This is welfare, not insurance.
It is amazing how many people just want someone else to pay for their health care.
It is disgusting. Each day, I get more an more disgusted at the American people. They deserve to be the slaves they are.
I would sign up but did not know that being puking sick of Zero was insurable and am not sure how much “they” will pay me for it.
The Wall Street Journal published an article on the subject which noted that in North Dakota one person has signed up. Truly a problem of national urgency. /sarc
All told around the nation about 8,000 people have signed up for the program. To put that in perspective, that's less than one half of the number of people in the country who are licensed to fly gliders. Maybe the federal government should take over the entire aviation industry because glider pilots have trouble finding places to land.
btt
How do you budget for medication that costs $2400 per year and specialist visits that cost another two grand a year? And if you're a young person who is just startng out in the workforce? While I'm not in this situation I know some one who is.
It's naive to say that the answer is for people to budget for their own health needs.
That's $4400. Let's say $5000. How much is rent? Live at home with mom and dad. Get what they used to call "a job." Don't buy a new car. Don't go clubbing. Cut back on entertainment and eating out.
Seriously, it would be pretty easy to come up with a way to scrape up $5000 if you have to in order to live.
It's naive to say that the answer is for people to budget for their own health needs.
It is theft and evil to force someone to pay for someone else at the point of a gun.
If they can't come up with the money through work, they can go to charity.
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