Tell policymakers we must care for the health of lower wage workers

Pennsylvania's adultBasic health insurance program, which provides low cost coverage to the working poor, may be at an end. Act now to let your State Representative and State Senator know that preserving affordable health care is a crucial, early action for the new 2011-2012 General Assembly.

Under a plan recently announced by the transition team of Governor-elect Tom Corbett, adultBasic will end, and "Special Care," an existing program operated by the state's four Blue Cross plans, would be offered as an option to those who lose their insurance. "Special Care" premiums are 3.5 times more than adultBasic, putting it out of reach for current adultBasic subscribers who mostly earn between $10,000-$15,000 annually, but can earn as much as $44,000 for a family of four. The "Special Care" coverage is severely limited, allowing only four physician visits per year and no prescription benefits, and is inadequate to meet the needs and the means of those currently using adultBasic.

The ELCA Social Statement Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor states, "We call on our society to give priority to people and groups who are not benefitting from access to health care services and research: people who are uninsured and underinsured, people living in poverty...and those suffering the consequences of our failure to implement adequate public health protection".

This is an opportunity to give priority to over 40,000 persons who do not have adequate access to health care services. Take action to advocate for preservation of the adultBasic program or, barring that, and acceptable alternative for those currently utilizing it.

Take action now!