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Bill

HB 1548

An Act authorizing the State Workers' Insurance Board to make available health insurance policies for purchase by the general public; providing for premiums; and authorizing a loan from the State Workers' Insurance Fund.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Boyd and 17 co-sponsors

Bill authorizes Pennsylvania's workers' compensation insurer to sell health policies to the general public and borrow from its reserve fund to launch the program.

Referred to Insurance
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Bill Summary · HB 1548

Legislative bill overview

HB 1548 would authorize Pennsylvania's State Workers' Insurance Board (SWIB) to offer health insurance policies to the general public, not just workers' compensation claimants. The bill also allows SWIB to set premiums for these policies and permits a loan from the State Workers' Insurance Fund to support this expansion.

Why is this important

This represents a significant expansion of SWIB's traditional role and could provide an alternative health insurance option in Pennsylvania's marketplace. The move could affect insurance market competition, premium pricing structures, and how state worker compensation funds are deployed—with potential implications for both public health coverage access and the solvency of the workers' compensation system.

Potential points of contention

  • Cross-subsidization concerns: Using workers' compensation funds for general health insurance could shift costs between populations and potentially disadvantage injured workers if claims increase
  • Market competition objections: Private insurers may oppose a state-backed competitor with access to public funds and existing infrastructure
  • Actuarial uncertainty: Pricing policies for a broader, less-predictable population differs significantly from workers' compensation claims, creating financial risk for the state fund
  • Mission creep: Expanding SWIB beyond its original workers' compensation mandate represents a fundamental change in the agency's purpose and could complicate its core function

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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