Pa. health care cost council takes political hit

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, July, 2008 | by Josh Goldstein Inquirer Staff Writer

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council - nationally known for reporting on the quality and cost of medical care across the state - is now itself in critical condition. Despite wide support from business and labor unions, nearly all of the council's 43 staff members have been terminated due to a political tussle between Gov.

Rendell and Senate Republicans over two unrelated disputes - giving uninsured Pennsylvanians access to affordable coverage and subsidies of part of doctors medical malpractice insurance. At the last minute, language to extend the malpractice subsidy was inserted into the Senate bill reauthorizing the council, known as PHC4. But the governor has said he would not extend that subsidy, called the MCARE abatement, until the Legislature...