Bhs Hanmiseuns Devember 20, 2016 ‘The Honorable Bill Shuster 2268 Rayburn House Office Building United States House of Representatives ‘Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Shuster: Attached please find my response to Congressman MeCarthy’sleter asking for input on ‘the faure of health care in Pennsylvania and around the country. [write to share my response with ‘you and include some important facts about heath care specific to Pennsylvania and the district ‘you represen, indoed we are to have an open and ongoing dialogue about the future of healthcare, as suggested in Congressman MeCarthy’s leter, we must begin by looking dizecly to our local communities. Our conversations should be rooted firmly in an understanding of the impact the Afordable Care Act (ACA) has had on the people who live within our commonwealth. In 2015, { made the critically important decision to expand Medicaid to all individuals living below 138 percent ofthe Federal Poverty Level (FPL). I did so because I believe that all people deserve access to care and because I believe it was, and continues toe, an economically prudent decision for Pennsylvania. Since then, the uninsured population has been drastically ‘reduced in every congressional district in Pennsylvania, To put it into context In 2016, 40,333 people living in Pennsylvania's Sth Congressional district were enrolled in Medicaid as part ofthe expansion population. That's roughly six percent of the total population ‘of your district. These are individuals and families that likely had no access to affordable health insurance options prior to expansion, Individuals and families can now see a primary care physician to teat a health condition before it becomes an emergency, lessening the strain on our state's emergency health system and promoting cost savings and better health outcomes along the way, In addition to Medicaid expansion, the state's use of the federal marketplace to provide access to health insurance policies on the private market means that 26,293 people in your district. purchased insurance in a competitive environment this year. OF those, 78 percent (20.446 individuals) received a subsidy of some kind to offset their out-of-pocket casts. Now, instead of‘The Honorable Bill Shuster December 20, 2016 Page Two stretching paychecks to afford health insurance, these individuals are putting dollars directly back into your local evonomy, creating a better Pennsylvania forall of us. AAs you well know, your district and Pennsylvania as a whole is made up of some of the ‘most diverse and unique individuals in this country. As our state's chosen representatives, atthe sate and federal level, itis incumbent upon us to always take the needs of the people into ‘consideration when making policy decisions. These decisions must nat be made ina vacuum and should be thoughtful, meaningful, and comprehensive. I ask that you consider me to be a willing partner in determining what is best forthe future of Pennsylvania, I stand ready and eager to continue these conversations Sincerely, Aen fo TOM WOLF Governor