Two editorials today in both of our city's main dailies highlight the hope for Final passage of much needed coverage for the Uninsured.

Editorial: Covering the Uninsured, The Inquirer

A SICK PLAN, The Daily News

Both papers say that the House should approve "Access to Basic Care" in S.B. 1137. That means they should permit the Dems to make their technical amendments (they dropped a couple brackets in there) and send it to the Senate.

That means you, Rep. Perzel, who stepped out before the final vote on the amendment that put "Access to Basic Care" in the bill. Rep. John Taylor, a Philadelphia Republican who usually supports the working poor on issues like this, was not around last week. Hopefully, today, he'll be back in the Capitol and will support the House Democrats new plan. Kenney and O'Brien are on the side of right and justice. Speaking of the Democrats, though: Democrats, none of you can call in sick this week. It would be more irony than I can really handle if people lost their chance to pay for doctor visits because one of you got the flu.

Up for first consideration in the House today, as well, is HB 2005, which reforms the market for insurance purchasers for small groups of people -- the small and medium sized business. This legislation would make it impossible to deny coverage to individuals because they have a health problem (the "pre-existing condition"). In other words, sick people will still be able to buy coverage. Insurers won't be able to jack up people’s rates based on their medical history, and the cost of covering someone will be based only on their age and the average cost of covering a person in that area or community, modified by the individual's age.

HB 2005 will also lower costs. When the uninsured get covered and when hospitals quit making so many mistakes, insurers won’t have to pay out as much money for medical bills anymore. Under HB 2005, the state can make sure that insurers can’t keep the difference. Instead, they’ll have to lower premiums, making insurance less expensive for individuals and easier for employers to provide.

[If anyone asks you, the Deluca Amendment is good and the Micozzie amendment masquerades as compromise while effectively gutting the bill - if in doubt, pass it it as it is.]

More details on the plan, after the jump. So Jump!

Here's the deal: The House Democrats took the plan Governor Rendell started with and revised it in light of some political realities. One problem we all struggled with: how can we cover people up to 300% of Federal Poverty Guidlines if the Federal Government will only provide matching funds for people up to 200%? The House D's came up with a neat solution. S.B. 1137 authorizes the Department of Insurance to cover more people if they can get the Federal Government to provide matching funds for it. In other words, if we pass S.B. 1137 as it is now, right away, we get to expand coverage to 200% of poverty and start providing prescription and mental health benefits to boot.

Later, if a new President is more generous, we can seek approval of broader coverage and provide it without a new legislative authorization.

The plan also has grants for small businesses who are providing coverage now. Some people objected to allowing small employers to provide this state subsidized coverage to their employees because it put good employers (the ones providing coverage at current market rates) at a competitive disadvantage with employers that can buy into a plan the state is supporting. The grants level it out.

If you care about Small Employers, though, here is the real news: We need to pass H.B. 2005. Everyone is scared about their insurance coverage. If you have it, you're worried that you'll lose it as the economy slows. If you work for a small employers, there is a good chance you aren't unionized and nothing is protecting your coverage but the good will and profit of your boss. If profit drops, he or she might feel compelled to cut your coverage.

With HB 2005, the state will have the power to make sure premiums are tied to the price of providing coverage. Some insurers are keeping way too much money and artificially raising rates. Others might be tempted to keep more when healthcare costs drop due to other reforms we've already passed and the fact that fewer Uninsured will be generating uncompensated care costs. With HB 2005, we can reign in the steady ascent in rates and might even be able to see them drop for some purchasers.

So, this week is a big week for health care access. Let your Representatives know you want them in Harrisburg and voting for SB 1137 and HB 2005 today. Then, get ready to send your Senators the same message, because we have to get it through to them, next.