Wolf proposes reform of state's health care system
Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday said the state’s health care system “wasn’t working for everyone,” proposing a number of changes along with forming a “health council” to make reform recommendations by the end of the year.
“I am proposing a health reform package that will make health care more affordable, hold health care corporations accountable and tackle the health inequities resulting from systemic racism,” Wolf said. “True reform means focusing on every aspect of a person that contributes to their health.”
According to Wolf, the state’s health system has been flawed for years now and the coronavirus exacerbated existing problems such as affordability and access to providers. According to the governor’s office, more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians are expected to become uninsured.
To address those problems, Wolf announced three solutions. The first, the Interagency Health Reform Council, was created through an executive order Wolf signed Friday.
The council will be made up of state agencies “involved in health and the governor’s office.” The group is tasked with finding recommendations to make by Dec. 30 that will help the state’s health system become more efficient and using state data to come up with evidence-based solutions.
Wolf’s two other proposals also involve the creation of organizations. The Department of Human Services will be tasked with creating five Regional Accountable Health Councils across the state to come up with region-specific plans based on community needs.
The third proposal is for the creation of a Health Value Commission that Wolf wants to build with the help of the state legislature. If created, the organization would be responsible for keeping all payers and providers accountable for the rise of health care costs and to provide long-term affordability and sustainability of the health care system.
In its current proposed form, the organization would be made up of 15 “commissioners” appointed by Wolf and the General Assembly. Those appointed would be required to have an expertise in the health care marketplace with five needing to be state agency heads.
