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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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MEDIA
CONTACT: Bob Caton |
State Rep. Todd Eachus |
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Eachus: House Majority Policy Committee to tour state to get public input on solving Pa.’s health-care crisis
HAZLETON, Feb. 2 -- State Rep. Todd Eachus, chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, said the committee will be traveling to locations all around the state in upcoming weeks to hold hearings focusing on issues impacting health care in the Commonwealth.
“Right now there are nearly 800,000 people without health coverage, and millions more struggling with access to quality, affordable health care,” Eachus said. “It’s time to get our lawmakers out there to examine the entire health-care system as a whole. We’re going to get the facts from the experts and the patients so we can craft common-sense legislation that will bring ideas from House Democrats to the forefront as well as possibly enhance and supplement the governor’s health-care plan.”
Eachus said that hearing topics will include, but not be limited to:
- Increasing patient protection by reducing medical errors
- Helping small businesses to offer affordable coverage to employees
- Improving drug plan coverage for all Pennsylvanians
- Addressing the long-term care funding crisis and how best to provide care to a growing population of seniors
- Promoting wellness and prevention
The first hearing, “PA Healthcare – The Check-Up,” will be hosted by Majority Policy Committee Vice-Chairman Rep. Marc Gergely and be held at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center McKeesport Branch on Feb. 16 and focus on identifying current issues involving doctors, nurses and hospitals that need immediate legislative attention.
Upcoming hearings include:
- “PA Healthcare – Covering the Cost” hosted by Rep. Jennifer Mann in Lehigh County on March 28
- “PA Healthcare – Picking up the Script” hosted by Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith in Chester County on March 15
- “PA Healthcare – In the Long Term” hosted by Rep. Chelsa Wagner in Allegheny County on March 29
- “Pa Healthcare – An Apple a Day” hosted by Rep. Ken Smith in Lackawanna County on April 26
“This hearing schedule is just a starting point for the Majority Policy Committee,” Eachus said. “The people have spoken and they want solutions for the health-care crisis, and Democrats are getting to work right now to deliver those solutions.”
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