Keystone State Joins Health Coverage Race

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell has unveiled a health coverage expansion proposal that builds on plans adopted in Massachusetts and announced in California.

Rendell, a Democrat, is proposing that his state phase in a requirement that adults with incomes greater than 300% of the federal poverty level buy health insurance.

Rendell also is calling for the state to work with private health insurers to set up a “Cover All Pennsylvanians” program that would provide subsidized and discounted health coverage for small business and moderate-income individuals.

Rendell is estimating the full, unsubsidized cost of the coverage would be about $280 per month.

Businesses that fail to insure employees would have to pay a “fair share assessment,” Rendell says.