"The recent merger announcement from Highmark Blue Cross of Pittsburgh and Independence Blue Cross of Philadelphia has both patients and health care professionals from throughout the state considering if the union will be a blessing or curse."
n       Dr. Mark A. Piasio, Pennsylvania Medical Society
 

Two health insurance powerhouses are looking to join forces, and House Democrats want to make sure that affordable rates and quality service for customers are the priorities, not just multi-billion dollar profits. Reps. Todd Eachus and Phyllis Mundy are sponsoring House Bill 112, which will be voted by the House this month, to give the people a voice in these negotiations.
 

Nurses who work shifts longer than 12 hours or who work unplanned overtime at the end of a shift are as much as three times more likely to make errors"
-- The Kaiser Network: 'Nurses overtime hours, medical errors linked'
 

Truck drivers and pilots have strict rules about how many hours they can work in a day but there is NO law against forcing a nurse to work 14, 16, even an 18-hour shift. Enough is enough. That's why Rep. Dan Surra is continuing his fight to end Mandatory Overtime for nurses. Next week the House Labor Relations Committee is expected to approve his legislation and send it to the full House for an eventual vote. For more than a decade, Republicans in the House and Senate have refused all attempts to protect nurses and patients in Pennsylvania, but now that House Democrats are in the Majority, things are going to change.
 

"Health care and higher education are two of the strongest components of Pennsylvania's economy."
n       TEQ Magazine, Pittsburgh Technology Council
 

Pennsylvania has some of the finest health-care research universities and most innovative companies in the world. Reps. Chelsa Wagner and Matt Smith joined with Governor Rendell to promote the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund, expanding our commitment to high-tech, high-wage jobs that can help save lives.

Protecting your rights, helping nurses care for you and investing in the future -- when it comes to Health Care, the Democratic Caucus is getting the job done