Though people with pre-existing conditions can obtain employee benefits through their workplace, a new report suggests that those who seek coverage in Pennsylvania and want an alternative to their employer's coverage will have to turn to the federal government for assistance.
According to a recent report from Kaiser Health News – along with local television station WHYY and National Public Radio – Pennsylvania and more than a dozen other states are handing over their high-risk insurance pools to the federal government rather than assuming responsibility for the setup of these marketplaces at the state level.
State officials say that the transition was necessary because the high risk pool – known as PA Fair Care – turned out to be more costly than initially anticipated.
State Rep. Matthew Baker told the news agencies that the decision had to be made given the financial challenges the state has had.
"It's regrettable, but it was unnecessary," said Baker. "If the federal government had kept their promise and pledge to the Department of Insurance and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, then we wouldn't be in this mess."
Baker refers to a large sum of money that the government stated it would provide to Pennsylvania for the insurance pools that ultimately fell short of what was given.
States still have until January 2014 to establish their exchanges, but there are those who are skeptical if this will be accomplished, including in Pennsylvania.
