Articles

(September 2004) Though Pennsylvanians enjoy access to health insurance more than those in other states, the growth among those without insurance is increasing faster in Pennsylvania than it is nationally. According to recent U. S. Census figures, the percentage of people without health insurance coverage in Pennsylvania has grown from 10.3% in 2001-2002 to 11.4% in 2002-2003. That 1.1% increase represents up to 135,000 more people without access to affordable health care. And it provides an ominous warning for policymakers.

Who’s most responsible for health care insurance?

Pennsylvanians differ in their perspectives on who should be the most responsible for health insurance coverage for individuals. Many say the employer should be the most responsible (36%), while others name the federal government (22%), individuals (20%) and state government (11%).

The results of the recent IssuesPA/Pew Poll on health care in Pennsylvania shows that residents are more worried about health care or health insurance costs than the nation overall, with 81% of Pennsylvanians very or somewhat worried compared to 74% nationally, and 74% of Pennsylvanians very or somewhat worried about the affordability of health care services compared to 60% nationally. Pennsylvanians surveyed said they want government to expand its role to ensure that more people have access to health insurance coverage – but not to abandon the current employer-based system.

Poll results showed that one in four surveyed has a family member who’s been without health care insurance at some point in the past year, which means that many Pennsylvanians – more than the 11-12% uninsured – have had their physical and financial health at risk at some point in the previous year because they didn’t have health care coverage.

Who should pay to help more people gain access to health care?

Though nearly one-fourth of Pennsylvanians surveyed by IssuesPA opposed any bigger government role in health care, nearly 71% said they believe government should expand its role. Nearly one-quarter supported a universal health insurance system, while 45% supported a mixed system where employers are offered tax breaks as incentives to provide health insurance for more workers and their families, and government provides access to health insurance for those left without any coverage.

Nearly half of Pennsylvanians surveyed – 47% – said they’d be willing to pay higher taxes to fund government health care programs – although they said they’re not convinced more government intervention would make the overall health care system better for their families. And despite growing concerns over health care costs, 40% said they’d be willing to pay more for health insurance premiums, deductibles or co-payments to help more people get access to health care.

So what does all this mean?

The number of Pennsylvanians without health insurance is increasing, putting more people at risk. Costs are a clear reason for the increases. Government, the backup for the private sector, already provides health care insurance for seniors through Medicare programs and low-income individuals and families through Medical Assistance and SCHIP – the state health insurance program for children of low-income families. Health care costs – including the costs of government programs, insurance for government employees, regulation of the health care industry, reimbursements to medical facilities and more – costs 4 of every 10 dollars of overall state spending – already a significant portion of the state’s annual budget.

Another part of the puzzle of making health care affordable and accessible that should be examined is how to manage the rising costs of health care. One obvious questions is, “How can Pennsylvania find more money for health insurance for its citizens?” Another important question is, “How can we work with the ‘stakeholders’ to manage the costs of health care and make the system more transparent and accessible for its consumers?”

Health care is an issue on the minds of many Pennsylvanians. Are their elected state officials listening? What will they do? Stay tuned.