Rx for Quality

Affordable health care cannot come at the risk of patient safety. It’s why House Democrats want to make sure quality care and a healthy living environment for the public is part of the equation. The following initiatives would establish requirements for health-care providers and public establishments.

Hospital Acquired Infections
House Bill 1552 (Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny)

This measure would work to reduce the incidence of hospital acquired infections and place Pennsylvania in the forefront nationally in the fight to reduce health-care associated infections contracted at health-care facilities throughout the state. 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.

News release: June 18 - DeLuca bill to reduce health-care associated infections approved by House Insurance Committee

News release and sound bite: June 12 - DeLuca pushes Prescription for Pennsylvania plan

Smoke Free Pennsylvania Act
House Bill 1541(Rep. Mike Gerber, D-Montgomery)

This legislation seeks to protect the public health and reduce the incidence of smoking-related illness by establishing a statewide smoking ban in virtually all enclosed or substantially enclosed public areas, including workplaces, bars, restaurants, schools, zoos, indoor arenas, public and private colleges, public transit and its waiting areas, public taxis and limousines, adult and child day-care and health-care facilities.

Web site: http://www.pahouse.com/gerber/smokefreepa/

News release: June 21 - Gerber smoke-free bill advances to full House

News release and sound bite: May 10 - Gerber proposes statewide smoking ban

Jonas Salk Legacy Fund
House Bill 1142 (Reps. Chelsa Wagner and Matt Smith, both D-Allegheny)

This bill would enhance Pennsylvania’s biomedical research capacity by establishing the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund. The Salk Fund would directly support the advancement of Pennsylvania’s capacity in biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and research and development. Grants would focus on capital investments in facilities and research infrastructure, as well as provide specialized equipment for newly recruited faculty to convert and upgrade research facilities in universities across the state. The grants also would support the creation of about 12,000 high-quality research-related and support jobs with average annual salaries of $65,000, providing an additional $24 million in Personal Income Tax revenues for the state.

News release: April 13 - Wagner and Smith unveil strategic investment in Pa.’s biomedical research

News release: June 14 - Committee backs Wagner/Smith biomedical proposal