Rendell says Corbett health care suit would cost the state millions
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HARRISBURG -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett's support for a lawsuit to overturn the new federal health care law is "stunning," said Gov. Ed Rendell, because if the lawsuit is successful, the state would lose $119 million annually and thousands of small businesses and young adults would be hurt.
Democrat Rendell, who leaves office in January, also says it's hypocritical for Mr. Corbett to issue a position paper about how he would implement the benefits of the law that's he's trying to get tossed out.
Mr. Corbett, of Shaler, is one of 14 state attorneys general, almost all of them Republicans, who have gone to court to fight the new health care law, which Congress passed in March and which began taking effect this week.
"You don't try to void something that is delivering tremendous benefits to people," Mr. Rendell told reporters Thursday. "It's stunning ... stunning. I think the word is hypocrisy."
Mr. Rendell praised two benefits of the law, which took effect Thursday. One permits young adults to stay on their parents' health insurance until age 26, rather than being removed at age 19, as they have been until now (unless enrolled in college.) Another provision will stop insurance companies from denying coverage to children 18 and under just because they have "pre-existing" health conditions.
Thousands of young adults "will now be able to access quality, affordable coverage through their parents' health plans, and children who were previously denied coverage due to a chronic condition, such as asthma or diabetes," can now get insurance, he said, and yet Mr. Corbett apparently wants to stop such benefits.
The new federal law also provides $119 million a year for Pennsylvania employers, to help them pay for health insurance for employees who retire before age 65, when they become eligible for federal Medicare. The law also gives a $250 check to people age 65 and older, to help them pay for medical costs not covered by Medicare.
Mr. Corbett is running for governor on Nov. 2 against Democrat Dan Onorato, the Allegheny County executive and the candidate Mr. Rendell supports.
First Published September 24, 2010 10:25 am
