No Mcare Resolution: General Assembly Leaves for its Summer Vacation

On July 4th the General Assembly reached consensus, and Governor Rendell approved a 28.2 billion budget with increases in energy, education and infrastructure for fiscal year 08-09.

The budget was settled; left hanging prior to the summer adjournment was agreement on extending Mcare abatement and a five-year extension for the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4).

Governor Rendell has stated that he will veto a bill that reauthorizes PHC4 and includes Mcare abatement because the General Assembly has not yet developed a plan to provide health care coverage to the uninsured. Also, that Mcare would not be renewed unless the legislature passed his health care program this fall.

Mcare abatement, extending the life of the PHC4, and coverage for the uninsured will be a priority agenda item when the General Assembly returns in the fall.