Democrat assails delayed benefits
HARRISBURG – A leading Democratic leader is assailing Gov. Mark Schweiker for his decision to delay giving healthcare benefits to hundreds of thousands of uninsured Pennsylvanians. Beginning in July, low-income, unemployed and uninsured Pennsylvanians 19 to 64 years old will be eligible for basic health insurance from the state.
But it’s five months too late, said House Minority Whip Michael Veon (D-Beaver Falls).
The program initially was set to begin in February, but Schweiker rolled the funds from the program into next year’s budget to fund other health programs. Veon accused Schweiker of “raiding money from the adult health insurance program to patch holes in the budget.”
“Thousands of uninsured adults need health insurance now,” Veon said in a news release. “More should have been done by this point, but the administration continues to drag its feet and play political games when it should be helping those in need, just as promised. The governor should quit delaying and activate the program right now.”
Schweiker’s spokesman defended the governor’s decision. David La Torre said the move will save $77 million, which can be used on other health-related services, such as veterans’ homes, mental retardation and child welfare. Facing a tough budget year, state officials must be frugal, he said.
“There are tough decisions that have to be made in every budget,” La Torre said. “This [insurance] program would have only been up and running for [a few] months, and by delaying it, we’re able to fund healthcare-related items in the budget that otherwise would have been cut or reduced in spending.”
The funding for the insurance program is coming from the state’s tobacco settlement money. Schweiker’s proposed 2002-2003 budget calls for spending $93 million on the program.