PHILADELPHIA, July 27, 2012 — As the termination of a contract between two significant health care providers looms, state Sen. Mike Stack is speaking out about the fallout on the many patients who rely on both providers for coverage and care.
Aria Health is the largest health care provider in Northeast Philadelphia and Lower Bucks County. Bravo Health is one of the country’s largest Medicare Advantage coordinated care plans. Their contract terminates on Aug. 15.
Stack, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, sent a letter today to Aria Health President and CEO Kathleen Kinslow expressing his concerns over the impact of the split between the two providers. He offered to assist in the negotiation process as needed.
“I have been contacted by many senior citizens in my district and they are worried that their health care will be negatively impacted by Aria and Bravo failing to reach an agreement. This will certainly affect our community and the delivery of quality health care to the residents of Philadelphia,” Stack said. “Aria and Bravo must resume talks immediately so that no one has a lapse in coverage or is turned away.”
Stack cited a recent similar stalemate between Pittsburgh-area health care providers UPMC and Highmark as a situation that caused patients anxiety and divided the healthcare community.
“That situation caused serious confusion and a distrust of the health care industry in western Pennsylvania,” Stack said. “We must ensure the public that everything is being done to reach a fair compromise without putting patients and individuals at risk.”
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