Governor Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania announced details about his “Healthy Pennsylvania” enterprise early October. He talked about the conditions under which he would accept additional Medicaid dollars under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Corbett said he would like to see the Medicaid dollars buy private insurance policies and that his administration has been in contact with the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.

According to the Main Line Times, he has plans to send his proposition to the Obama administration. The plan includes other aspects, such as allowing children access to Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. He also intends to create a long-term care commission, which would recommend best practices for long-term care services for elderly and disabled Pennsylvanians. “Healthy Pennsylvania” would also include an enhanced prescription drug-monitoring program. Corbett said he wants to, “reform the current Medicaid program rather than expand it.”

“This is a step in the right direction to make sure more Pennsylvanians have access to quality health care,” said state Rep. Bill Adolph of Springfield. This initiative will please both Democrats and Republicans in Pennsylvania.