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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Tom
Andrews 717-783-4267 |
Majority Leader Bill
DeWeese |
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House Democrats support Prescription for Pennsylvania
Governor Rendell’s health-care package moving forward
HARRISBURG, June 12 – Through the years, House Democrats have demonstrated their commitment to reforming the state’s health-care system so all Pennsylvanians have access to quality, affordable coverage. From forging a Children’s Health Insurance Program that has become a model for the country to fighting to reduce medical errors and end mandatory overtime for nurses, Democrats have been at the forefront of this issue.
“During the past few months, the House Democratic Caucus has done its homework on the health-care issue. Chairmen Tony DeLuca, Frank Oliver, Mike Sturla and Todd Eachus have been to every corner of the Commonwealth getting public input. Freshmen and senior members alike have heard testimony from everyone involved in this issue,” said House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington. “Today, we renew our commitment as we announce the introduction of legislation that embodies the many components of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Prescription for Pennsylvania that have a broad consensus.”
During a Capitol news conference today, DeWeese, Majority Whip Keith McCall and Majority Policy Chairman Todd Eachus discussed the key components of the health-care package.
“After myriad public hearings and discussions with all the stakeholders, we are taking steps toward achieving a Prescription for Pennsylvania,” said Eachus, D-Luzerne. “Because Pennsylvanians are statistically more likely than the average American to go to the emergency room, the plan would promote incentives for health-care providers who offer services in the evenings and on weekends, which helps to discourage consumers from seeking costly ER treatment for routine medical concerns.”
Eachus said House Democratic members have introduced, or will be introducing, nearly all of the governor’s Prescription for Pennsylvania bills.
He said Rep. Vince Biancucci, D-Beaver, will introduce a concurrent resolution establishing a task force to study components of covering all Pennsylvanians, including suggestions on how to fund the program. The 25-member bipartisan task force will include representatives of each segment of the health-care community and it will issue recommendations to the General Assembly by Dec. 31.
Insurance Committee Chairman Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, discussed legislation regarding health-care acquired infections. The measure would place Pennsylvania in the forefront nationally in the fight to reduce the incidence of health-care associated infections contracted at health-care facilities throughout the state.
He said HAIs are the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S., having affected 2.2 million people and killing 100,000 last year alone.
Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Frank Oliver, D-Phila., discussed legislation that encourages healthy lifestyles, including a smoking ban in Pennsylvania. He said a smoke-free Pennsylvania is garnering widespread support and recent hearings in Northeastern Pennsylvania turned out hundreds.
Oliver cited statistics that secondhand smoke is responsible for the deaths of as many as 3,000 Pennsylvania nonsmokers each year. For every eight smokers that die from the effects of their own tobacco use, one nonsmoker also dies from the effects of breathing in someone else's tobacco smoke.
Professional Licensure Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, discussed an issue that his committee has spent considerable time debating across the state. The measures would empower health-care professionals to practice to the full extent of their education and provide training so care can be offered to Pennsylvanians without access to primary care providers and alleviate the strain and costs that go with emergency room care.
Sturla said Pennsylvania lags behind other states in fully utilizing licensed health-care providers that are not physicians. The plan would eliminate the barriers in existing laws and regulations that limit the ability of health-care providers to practice to the fullest.
“Pennsylvanians consistently cite health-care reform among their top priorities for policy makers to confront, because they are experiencing the problem firsthand. Governor Rendell already has moved forward with several components of Prescription for Pennsylvania through executive orders, and House Democrats are committed to moving on solutions that require legislative action,” said Whip McCall, D-Carbon.
“As we move toward a June 30 budget adoption, portions of the Prescription for Pennsylvania plan will remain a priority for the House Democratic Caucus,” he said.