Sen. Casey touts new, lower-cost health care plan
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., held an online news conference Friday to tout the new state health care market known as “Pennie.”
Casey reminded those in virtual attendance that the deadline to sign up for health care through Pennie, which is Pennsylvania's own health care market, is Dec. 15 to get health care beginning on Jan 1.
He said Pennie is for state residents who have no other health care like Medicaid and are having trouble affording other, more expensive health care plans offered via the Affordable Care Act.
Casey said because it is associated with the ACA, Pennie protects those with existing conditions and limits out-of-pocket costs for consumers.
He said some in Pennsylvania are falling victim to “junk” health care plans offered by insurers outside of the ACA, and are finding they are not covered for pre-existing conditions or experiencing high costs.
“You can avoid all that and enroll in comprehensive coverage by going through Pennie,” Casey said.
One of Casey's panelists for the news conference was Jessica Altman, state insurance commissioner.
She said many who are enrolling in Pennie have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, and many having lost their health care along with their jobs.
“In 2020, health care is more important than ever before,” Altman said.
She said Pennie has seven insurers, all of which offer comprehensive health care and cover pre-existing conditions along with COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccinations.
Those looking for health care can log onto pennie.com to review plans, costs and services.
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