Pennsylvania Co-Pay on Hold
Gov. Tom Corbett's administration on Friday shelved a plan to require thousands of families that get Medicaid coverage for children with autism and other disabilities to help pay the bills after complaints from parents and legislators.
Proposed copayments for wealthier families that had provoked criticism from many parents were put on indefinite hold while officials instead work to win federal approval for a new premium that would be paid upfront, Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander said.
"The department has always preferred the option of applying a premium to this program and will be working with stakeholders who have come to us in support of a premium as opposed to the copayment," Alexander said.
The copay requirement took effect Monday for new applicants and had been scheduled to be extended on Nov. 1 to 48,000 other children who were already covered.
