Covering All Pennsylvanians - Health Insurance Legislation

While Statewide Latino Advocacy Day focused on issues of education and immigration, we know that access to health care and health insurance are also important topics that many of you care about. We thought that we would pass on some information that was provided by the Philadelphia Health Department regarding Governor Rendell's Covering All Pennsylvanians (CAP) health insurance program.

• With CAP, uninsured people could afford health insurance. Uninsured adults who make less than $29,400 ($60,000 for a family of 4) would pay between $10 - $60 per month for full health insurance coverage including prescription medicines. Families earning more than 300% of the federal poverty level could pay the full cost of $280 per adult.

• With CAP, small employers could afford insurance for their workers. Small employers could offer subsidized insurance (at a cost to employer of $130 per month per employee) for their workers, who will also pay between $10 and $70 per month. Children can already apply for the CHIP program. (Call 1-800-464-KIDS.)

• With CAP, the cost of insurance for everyone will go down. The current cost of health insurance is estimated to be 6.5% higher due to the costs of providing care to the uninsured.

• With CAP, it would be against the law to deny insurance to those with “pre-existing conditions.”

• With CAP, rate increases and insurance company profits would be limited.

The legislation is at serious risk. For more information about CAP and about how you can voice your support for this bill, please visit Congreso's Advocacy Webpage: http://www.congreso.net/advoc_health2.php