FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Mike Sturla D-Lancaster Majority Deputy Whip Chairman, Professional Licensure Committee www.pahouse.com/sturla

Sturla urges action on ‘Cover All Pennsylvanians’

HARRISBURG, Jan. 15 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, today spoke at a Capitol rally with Gov. Ed Rendell to build more support for his legislation (H.B. 1870) that would “Cover All Pennsylvanians” with health insurance.

“As expected, the major area of contention is how to pay for a program that would enable all uninsured Pennsylvanians to purchase affordable health insurance,” Sturla said. “I believe our goal of providing universal health insurance in Pennsylvania is so vital that we must agree on a reasonable way to financially support CAP, whether it is via a smokeless tobacco tax, a cigarette tax increase, a fair share assessment, MCARE surplus or any other means.”

Under Sturla’s bill, a family of four that earns up to $62,000 a year would receive help from the state in paying their health insurance premiums, and all uninsured adults who earn more than that amount could participate in CAP by paying the full cost.

“Governor Rendell and I have been offering practical funding options because health care is a priority issue for us. Meanwhile, opponents criticize our proposals without offering any serious alternatives,” Sturla said. “If they support health care for all Pennsylvanians, then they should share their funding ideas because we will listen.”

Sturla noted that the cost of the uninsured is currently $1.4 billion. It is estimated that 6.5 percent of the health insurance premium dollar paid in Pennsylvania goes toward covering the costs of the uninsured.

“The system simply cannot be sustained in the face of this burgeoning cost, and the effect could be catastrophic,” Sturla said. “The cost of inaction is far greater than what it will take to make quality health care more accessible and more affordable for all Pennsylvanians.”

As chairman of the House Professional Licensure Committee, Sturla has already negotiated various Prescription for Pennsylvania legislation aimed at reducing costs, expanding access and streamlining the health-care delivery system. These bills, which include expanding the scope of practice for certified nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives and physician assistants, are now law.