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For Immediate Release
Senator Brubaker Reintroduces Healthcare Access BillHARRISBURG – State Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) reintroduced legislation today that would improve health care access and affordability by creating a volunteer program of healthcare providers for low-income Pennsylvanians. The Keystone Care Program Act, which is part of the Senate Republican healthcare reform package HealthNet PA, would create a network through which doctors, hospitals, nurses, physician assistants and others would be encouraged to volunteer their services, offering expanded health care capacity and access to specialty services for those with a demonstrated need. The program would provide grants to an approved health care resource network. The Keystone Care Program would be modeled after the Project Access program launched in 1996 in Asheville, North Carolina, to treat low-income uninsured individuals on a volunteer basis. The program is in use in Lancaster County today. "The Project Access program has been successful because it promotes continuity of care and preventative services by allowing patients to establish relationships with their doctors and reducing usage of more expensive emergency room services for non-emergencies," stated Brubaker. To be eligible for the program, patients must be between the ages of 19 and 65 and have income of less than 200% of the Federal poverty income guidelines. Applicants cannot be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid and other state or federal medical benefits. "Access and affordability continue to be two of the many healthcare challenges facing people today," said Brubaker. "Given this country's current economic uncertainty more and more people are looking for medical assistance. This legislation will provide those individuals struggling economically a more affordable healthcare access option." The bill, formerly Senate Bill 1564 in the 2007-2008 legislative session, was passed by the Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee on September 24, 2008.
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