Governor Corbett Meets with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Press Release

Governor Tom Corbett met last night with U.S. Department of Health
& Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, seeking answers to questions
around the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Pennsylvania.

"We had a meaningful discussion around increasing access to affordable, quality
health care in a way that would lessen the burden on the state's taxpayers in the
long-term," Corbett said. "I want to thank the secretary for her time and attention
to our questions."

The meeting was intended to clarify information and answer additional questions
that came up as a result of correspondence between the state and the U.S.
Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on the topics of Medicaid expansion
and the implementation of a federally-facilitated health insurance exchange in
Pennsylvania.

Corbett reiterated his long-standing goal to increase access to affordable healthcare
coverage options for Pennsylvanians, but made it clear that without meaningful
reform of the Medicaid program expansion remains an unsustainable option for
Pennsylvania taxpayers.

The governor sought answers to several key questions, including verification that
the 100 percent federal match is available for the commonwealth.

He also requested information around using the private insurance market to expand
coverage in Pennsylvania, similar to what Arkansas and Tennessee are pursuing,
coupled with significant reforms to Pennsylvania's current Medicaid program to
protect the program for those citizens who need it the most.

"Until we know whether or not significant reform is possible, I continue to have
concerns that Pennsylvania's Medicaid program will be able to serve, in a
sustainable manner, the approximately one in four Pennsylvanians that would be
covered under a full expansion," Corbett said.

Corbett indicated that he will await further information from HHS and that no
further decisions will be made at this time.

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