Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Candidates Discuss How To Address Uninsured

As part of a series exploring Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates' stances, the Philadelphia Inquirer in its Oct. 30 opinion section asked candidates, "How can we decrease the number of uninsured Pennsylvanians without using tobacco or gambling revenues?" The following are responses from state Attorney General Mike Fisher (R) and former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell (D):

• Fisher: "It is important that we use every available resource to ensure access to affordable care, especially for Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens," Fisher writes, adding, that he is "proud" to have helped negotiate the national tobacco settlement, $11 billion of which went to Pennsylvania public health programs. Fisher says that while programs like the CHIP program were created to "help working families who could not afford or did not have access to health insurance," the state's program has enrolled just fewer than half the eligible children. He states, "We must ensure that programs like CHIP reach as many families as possible." Fisher also advocates expanding funding for PACE, Pennsylvania's senior prescription drug assistance program, through a "limited expansion of gambling, by allowing slot machines at existing horseracing tracks," money from which would go to the state's lottery system. PACE is partly funded through the state's lottery system. Fisher also says that curtailing "frivolous" medical malpractice lawsuits, will help "preserve the availability, affordability and quality of care in Pennsylvania" (Fisher, Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/31).
  
• Rendell: The lack of health coverage among Pennsylvania residents "affects not only the health and vitality of the individuals, but the health and vitality of our communities," Rendell says. He calls the issue of the uninsured "unacceptable" and says "something must be done." He writes, "I believe we can decrease the uninsured in Pennsylvania without relying on revenue generated from the sale of tobacco or gambling" and instead use "existing state resources, a maximization of available federal funding and a reduction in barriers to health insurance programs." Rendell says he would increase coverage by "leveraging" additional federal funding. He also advocates "removing entry barriers to existing programs" to decrease the number of children who are eligible for CHIP or Medicaid but not enrolled (Rendell, Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/31).