PHC4 Reauthorized through 2014
The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) has received new life.
Act 3 of 2009, signed by Gov. Ed Rendell on June 10, 2009, reauthorizes the agency through 2014. It was set to expire on June 30, 2009.
The fate of PHC4 was caught in an impasse last year between the governor and the General Assembly over expanding health care coverage for the uninsured and extending physicians’ Mcare abatements.
After the agency’s legislative authorization expired June 30, 2008, the governor twice issued executive orders to keep PHC4 running.
In testimony to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee last year, Peter S. Lund, MD, State Society immediate past president, said that the Society strongly supports reauthorization and encourages the extension of future sunset dates for the organization.
“As designed today, PHC4 is constantly working under the threat of being shut down before they would have time to adequately perform their responsibilities,” he said.
Last Updated: 6/11/2009