Advocates say adultBasic demise costs Pa. more

Democrats and advocates for the poor in Pennsylvania are marking the one-year anniversary of the elimination of a state-subsidized health insurance program for nearly 41,000 lower-income adults.

Gov. Tom Corbett, the Legislature’s Republican majority and the state’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurers decided against funding adultBasic, ending it after nine years.
The state Insurance Department says almost 40 percent of those who lost the coverage signed on to Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans that are more expensive than adultBasic, but partially subsidized by the insurers for people who meet income limits.

Fewer than 4 percent were eligible for Medicaid and the agency doesn’t know what happened to the rest. Program advocates say its demise is costing taxpayers and hospitals more as the uninsured seek treatment in emergency rooms, rather than doctor’s offices.