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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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House Democratic Leadership www.pahouse.com |
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Health-care expansion lags in state Senate
HARRISBURG, April 30 – The House Democratic leadership team today criticized Senate Republican leaders for dragging their feet on one of the top public policy issues Pennsylvanians want addressed -- health care.
"Instead of acting on legislation that would give hope to hundreds of thousands of uninsured Pennsylvanians, the Senate Republican Policy Committee today held a so-called public hearing on the subject, where testifiers were hand-picked to argue for special interests," said House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese. "House Democrats are on the people's side and we passed a reasonable approach that would expand affordable health care to working adults, provide incentives to small businesses and maintain our commitment to the state’s medical community."
DeWeese said the Senate has had the entire month of April to act on the legislation since the House passed the bipartisan measure March 17.
House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Todd Eachus said Pennsylvanians overwhelmingly cite affordable health care as an issue they would like to see addressed by state government.
"More than a quarter-million working Pennsylvanians can't afford to get sick, and it’s been weeks since the House passed bipartisan legislation to help these men and women," Eachus said. "The time for hearings is long past. It’s time for the Senate to act to save lives."
Senate Bill 1137 remains in the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee.
"Had the Senate taken action on the plan this month, the legislation could be sitting on the desk of Governor Rendell. Unfortunately, the uninsured in Pennsylvania will have to wait another day for the Senate Republican Leadership to do their job," DeWeese said.
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CONTACT: Tom Andrews 717-783-3797 |