July 3rd, 2008

An editorial appearing in today’s Morning Call discusses the fate of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council and calls for its reauthorization before summer recess.

The article reports:

“In terms of numbers, the loss of these jobs seems relatively insignificant within the context of a proposed $28.2 billion budget. But that loses sight of the important work the independent PHC4 does for Pennsylvanians. For 22 years, PHC4 has battled the rising cost of health care with numbers crunching analysis to determine what Pennsylvania workers and employers should be paying for medical services.”

“The irony of this political fight is that the very agency that has fostered informed debate so that sensible state policies on issues like taking care of the uninsured can be formed, has been silenced, at least temporarily.  PHC4’s reauthorization shouldn’t be linked to extension of the Mcare abatement. The Governor and Legislature must resolve this before lawmakers recess for the summer.”