| Date: December 11, 2008 | Media Contact: | Chuck Moran |
| | | Pennsylvania Medical Society |
| For Immediate Release | | (717) 558-7820 |
(Harrisburg, Pa.) A legal action has been filed in Commonwealth Court by the Pennsylvania Medical Society to preserve funds in a dedicated health care account that’s designed to assure future access to health care. The action was filed after remarks made on the floor of the state House of Representatives suggested the funds could be diverted to pay for non-health care projects.
“We are reluctantly filing this petition, wishing it wasn’t needed, but based upon recent remarks about the Health Care Provider Retention Account, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the state’s projected budget deficit for 2009 makes this account a target to pay for non-health care projects,” said Daniel J. Glunk, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
Specifically, Dr. Glunk is referring to remarks made by then-House Majority Leader H. William DeWeese (D-Greene) during a floor debate on November 19 that suggest the Health Care Provider Retention Account could be used to fill a $500 million gap in next year’s budget.
“Over the course of the past year, we have worked continuously with all parties in an effort to maintain and improve access to quality care for Pennsylvanians,” said Dr. Glunk. “It’s disappointing that we have no choice but to move forward with legal action to help Pennsylvania patients.”
The Health Care Provider Retention Account was designated in earlier legislation to assist Pennsylvania physicians and hospitals dealing with issues associated with the state’s Mcare Fund, which has a projected $1.8 billion unfunded liability. During the past year, the Pennsylvania Medical Society has worked with Governor Rendell and the legislature to secure phase out the Mcare fund and pay off its unfunded liability, while supporting the use of any excess from the Health Care Provider Retention Account to aid the uninsured.
“If the Health Care Provider Retention Account is diverted, this has great potential to be yet another set-back for Pennsylvania’s physician recruitment efforts,” said Dr. Glunk. “Furthermore, excess funds in this account could be used to help the uninsured.”
The Pennsylvania Medical Society has been advocating for the patient-doctor relationship since 1848. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Medical Society, visit its website at www.pamedsoc.org, or its consumer website at www.myfamilywellness.org.
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Editor's Note: Reporters can obtain an electronic copy of the petition by contacting Chuck Moran.