Rendell reauthorizes PHC4 through June

November 21st, 2008

Gov. Rendell signed an executive order yesterday to extend the life of Pennsylvania Health Care Containment Council (PHC4), a health wathdog agency, through June 30th.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Senate committee should recommend a rejection of Blues merger

November 19th, 2008

Today the Philadelphia Inquirer editorializes on the proposed Blues merger, on which Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario will soon make a decision.

Patriot-News: Let’s act on healthcare, already!

November 18th, 2008

The Patriot-News wants the PA legislature to stop fooling around and address the health insurance issue.

House panel probably won’t provide input on Blues merger

November 18th, 2008

The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Insurance Committee probably will not take any official action in favor of or against the proposed merger between Independence Blue Cross and Highmark Inc. when it meets tomorrow, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

House Insurance Committee holding discussion today about Blues merger

November 12th, 2008

The state House Insurance Committee will meet today today to discuss the proposed merger between Pennsylvania’s largest health insurance companies; Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross. PCN TV will be airing the meeting live.

How an Obama presidency might affect healthcare in PA

November 10th, 2008

An Obama presidency may increase the likelihood of Gov. Rendell’s plan being approved.

Latest in Inquirer’s health series: A man with a broken arm and no health insurance

November 10th, 2008

“Richard Hershman is sick and poor, partly, he said, because he abused drugs and did not lead a model life,” reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. “When he slipped and broke his arm, he could not get surgery to repair it properly because he had no insurance.”

Medicaid may become victim of PA’s budget shortfall

November 10th, 2008

Legislators and healthcare professionals are worried that the state’s budget shortfall may mean cuts for Medicaid– at the same time, national studies show that when the economy is bad and people lose jobs, enrollment in Medicaid increases.

Women paying more than men for identical health insurance policies

October 31st, 2008

Striking new evidence has emerged of a widespread gap in the cost of health insurance, reports the New York Times, as women pay much more than men of the same age for individual insurance policies providing identical coverage.

Capital BlueCross appoints new President/CEO

October 30th, 2008

Capital BlueCross has called off a national search for a CEO, and instead given the job to its board chairman, William Lehr Jr.