Committee Approves HealthNET Bills to Expand Access to Community Health Care, Physicians, Medicine

Among six HealthNET PA measures moving forward in the Senate.

Harrisburg – Legislation that would expand access to community health care, physicians and medicine across Pennsylvania was approved by the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.

The bills are among six HealthNET PA measures moving forward in the Senate, according to committee Chairman Ted Erickson (R-26).

"The need to increase access to health care in Pennsylvania is pressing, and I'm pleased to see these important bills moving forward," said Erickson. "The HealthNET PA plan is comprehensive and affordable, and we'll continue to work to get these bills before the full Senate and, hopefully, enacted as soon as possible."

The committee approved the following HealthNET PA bills Tuesday:

Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Senator Erickson, would establish the Community-Based Healthcare Program for the expansion and site development of health care clinics across Pennsylvania. This would provide "medical homes" for 175,000 working poor clients and ease pressure on hospital emergency rooms.
Senate Bill 314, sponsored by Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36), creates the Keystone Care Program, a network through which doctors, hospitals, nurses, physician assistants and others would be encouraged to volunteer their services, offering expanded health care capacity and access to specialty services for those with a demonstrated need. The program would provide grants to an approved health care resource network.
Senate Bill 335, sponsored by Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-10), would make low-cost prescription drugs available through the state's community-based health care clinics. The program would link low-income adults who lack prescription drug coverage to the appropriate free or low-cost prescription assistance programs, and direct the state Department of Welfare to maintain a registry of free and low-cost prescription drug programs and make the information available online.

In addition, the following three HealthNET PA bills were approved by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee last week:

Senate Bill 442, sponsored by Sen. Don White (R-41), would provide "Mini-Cobra" coverage for small business employers, creating a high-risk pool for individuals who cannot access other coverage.
Senate Bill 189, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-34), would extend the option of dependent coverage to age 30. (Nearly half of uninsured Pennsylvanians are age 18-34.)
Senate Bill 443, also introduced by Senator White, would permit health insurers to withhold payment to providers in the event of a medical error.

The HealthNET PA plan would expand access to health care and medicine to more than 500,000 uninsured and low-income working Pennsylvanians. It would utilize information technology to control costs and reduce health care-associated infections, and provide expanded insurance options for employers and families, and will incorporate the concepts of disease prevention and wellness.

CONTACT:

Tom Golden
(717) 787-1350