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

Sturla introduces bill to ‘Cover All Pennsylvanians’ with health insurance

HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – With nearly 900,000 Pennsylvanians currently lacking health insurance, state Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, today introduced H.B. 1870 that would “Cover All Pennsylvanians” with health insurance as part of Gov. Ed Rendell’s Prescription for Pennsylvania plan.

“I am proud to introduce CAP today so we can move the discussion forward to achieve the goal of providing all uninsured Pennsylvanians access to affordable health-care coverage,” Sturla said. “It is important to realize that many of the uninsured are employed by small businesses or even self-employed. CAP would enable them to finally receive health insurance.”

Under Sturla’s bill, all uninsured Pennsylvanians, no matter the size of their employer, would be able to purchase affordable health insurance through CAP. A family of four that earns up to $62,000 a year would receive help from the state paying their premiums and all uninsured adults who earn more than that amount could participate in CAP by paying the full cost.

According to Sturla, small businesses could participate if they have 50 or fewer employees who earn less than the state average wage. Employers that chose to join CAP would pay approximately $130 per employee per month, and each employee would pay a premium of $10 to $70 per month depending on family income. 

“I think CAP is a worthy investment because preventive and timely care would significantly reduce the long-term costs of health care that all Pennsylvanians end up paying through cost shifting,” Sturla said.

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 scope of practice for certified nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives and physician assistants, are now law.

Last session, Sturla introduced Rendell’s “Cover All Kids” proposal, which was signed into law, to extend health insurance coverage to more children in Pennsylvania.

###jmd/2007/mjh                                                                                           

l:\print\releases\cap.096

CONTACT: Jim Dawes
House Professional Licensure Committee
Phone: 717-772-0036; Fax: 717-705-1923

Email: jdawes@pahouse.net