Rx for Affordability

The House Democrats are committed to making health care more affordable for all Pennsylvanians by bringing health-care costs under control for employers and making sure workers and their families can afford coverage. The following initiatives seek to make sure Pennsylvania takes the necessary steps to cover all Pennsylvanians.  

Health Care Task Force
H.R. 334 (Rep. Vince Biancucci, D-Beaver)

This legislation would organize 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 no later than Dec. 31, 2007.

News release and sound bite: June 12 - Biancucci proposes health care task force

Extending optional health care to older children
H.B. 1556 (Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer)

This legislation would give parents the option of retaining health insurance coverage for their children up to age 30 under certain conditions. Specifically, the child must be unmarried, have no dependents, be a resident of the Commonwealth or be a full-time student and have no other health insurance coverage. Any increases to the premium for the extended coverage would be paid for by the parent and not the employer.

News release: June 21 - Longietti bill to increase access to health insurance moving forward

News release and sound bite: June 12 - Longietti, Democratic leaders roll out health-care package