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March 17, 2010

Penn. Nearly Doubles Cost of Low-Income Insurance Program
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In other healthcare news, Pennsylvania has nearly doubled the cost of a
monthly health insurance program for low-income residents. The program’s
2,400 recipients are on a waiting list for Medicaid coverage because
they haven’t yet qualified. As of this month, their monthly bill went
from $313 to around $600. State officials say they were forced to raise
the price because the program covers many people in need of care.
Pennsylvania’s state insurance commissioner, Joel Ario, says the price
was increased despite acknowledgment it could have devastating
consequences for those no longer able to afford medical coverage. In an
interview with the New York Times, Ario said, “This is very likely going
to send us into a death spiral.”



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