News

April 15, 2008

Hearing focuses on cost of health

Local people testify before state legislators about hardships.

POTTSVILLE – Joseph Hynoski makes food 14 hours a day at his Stuccio’s Pizza shop in Nanticoke, but still has to cut back on frivolities like nights out with his wife or extra clothing because health care costs take up a third of his monthly revenues.

Christopher Templin, a hemophiliac who lives in Birdsboro, Berks County, has to either secure alternative health insurance or change his job every 4� years because his insurance policy has a $5 million maximum payout and his hemophilia medication costs about $1.2 million annually.

Testifying before state legislators on Monday, both men hoped, as Hynoski put it, to contribute a grain of sand to help remedy a system where rising costs are pricing people out of coverage and causing them to risk financial catastrophe.

“I think that all of us need to try to speak up and to try to let the higher-ups know how bad it is for us common, working people,” Hynoski said.

State Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, opened the hearing by noting the state Office of Consumer Advocate was created in the 1970s during an energy crisis. Monday’s hearing focused on a bill Yudichak introduced that would create a state consumer advocate for health care.

“I think we have a health care crisis … in Pennsylvania,” he said. He said competitive markets exist for other types of insurance, but that mergers have reduced health insurance choices. Eight other states have such advocates, he noted.

Several representatives from industry-related groups applauded the proposal, saying current state agents, such as the consumer liaison, aren’t designed to solely protect consumers. A lobbyist for the industry, however, said existing offices would be adequate, but are under-funded.

Richard Bloomingdale, the secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, said some workers pay as much as $10 per hour worked for health care, regardless of their salaries.

Judy Schweich, executive director of the Schuylkill Alliance for Health Care Access, told of helping a woman who lost her coverageand was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. To get care, Schweich said, her organization relies on a group of about 40 doctors who accept reduced payments.

Another bureaucratic layer isn’t necessary, said Vince Phillips, who represented the Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters. State agencies, such as the Insurance Department, are understaffed to handle the number of complaints they receive, he said.

“I think we have a health care crisis … in Pennsylvania.”

State Rep. John Yudichak

D-Nanticoke, who said competition exists for other insurances, but mergers have reduced health insurance choices.

Rory Sweeney, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 970-7418.

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