30 Ways in 30 Days: Health Care Reform

Cutting Health Care Reform Office Would Cost in the Long Run
 
A Senate-passed budget would eliminate funding for the Governor's Office of Health Care Reform. The Philadelphia Daily News has voiced concern that such a move will hurt a chronic care initiative and efforts to establish electronic medical record systems.
 
HARRISBURG (June 29, 2009) - Innovative health care reform programs could be at risk if a Senate-passed budget eliminating funding for the Governor's Office of Health Care Reform is enacted.
 
That's the concern voiced in a Philadelphia Daily News editorial from earlier this month. Specifically, the newspaper worried that the funding cut in Senate Bill 850 would jeopardize a chronic care initiative and plans to establish electronic medical records. While that bill was rejected by the House Appropriations Committee on June 8, several of the cuts included in it are still under consideration in the Legislature.
 
"Not only does it slash medical help to people who are struggling financially, it would kill innovative programs that result in improved health for everyone who visits a doctor," the Daily News editorialized on the Senate budget bill.
 
The chronic care initiative helps save money in the health care system by focusing on prevention programs for people with chronic health conditions, like diabetes or childhood asthma.
 
Read the June 2 Daily News editorial here.

The Governor's Office of Health Care Reform was funded at about $2.1 million in 2008-09. The Governor has proposed funding the office at about $1.6 million in 2009-10, while Senate Bill 850 eliminates all funding for the office.

Return to 30 Ways in 30 Days Service Cuts Will Hurt Pennsylvanians.