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Senate Republicans
have announced a comprehensive
HealthNET PA package designed to improve health care access and
affordability by building on approaches that are working and doing it in a
fiscally responsible way.
The 507,000
Pennsylvanians served by the $100 million plan is more than double the number
projected to be covered after five years under Gov. Rendell's $1.4 billion
health care proposal, and almost four times the number projected to be covered
in the second year.
Previously,
Senate
Republicans led the effort to give Pennsylvanians the ability to open tax-exempt
Health Savings Accounts to cover health care costs, curb
skyrocketing medical liability premiums that drive up health care costs, and
integrate state and federal prescription drug plans for seniors.
Patient safety
efforts launched in 2002 with passage of the
Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act were further enhanced
in 2007 by a new law that will help
prevent, track and, ultimately, reduce the incidence of health
care-associated infections.
Moving Pennsylvania
toward a health care system that slashes costs through innovation, expands
access and protects consumer choice remains a top priority of Senate
Republicans.
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Senate
Approves Plan to Reduce Health Care-Associated Infections |
The Senate approved a new
law,
Act 52 of 2007, sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson
(R-Delaware), that will help prevent, track and, ultimately,
reduce the incidence of health care-associated infections.
Health care-associated
infections (HAIs) affect an estimated two million Americans
a year, with more than 100,000 dying from bacteria that are
increasingly resistant to common antibiotics. Infections
picked up in hospitals and other health care facilities add
more than $8,000 to the cost of the average hospital stay
and cause unnecessary health consequences.
Act 52 establishes the
steps to be taken by state government agencies and health
care facilities to
identify and reduce infections. It requires hospitals,
nursing homes and ambulatory surgical facilities to
implement internal infection control plans that will improve
the health and safety of patients and health care workers.
Pennsylvania hospitals,
nursing homes, and ambulatory surgical facilities will be
the first in the nation to report infections to the National
Healthcare Safety Network, an internet-based surveillance
system operated by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention that will co ordinate information, allowing
Pennsylvania to develop effective tools to attack this
problem in a measurable way.
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New Law Provides Long-Term Care Insurance
Incentives |
A Senate bill has been signed
into law to provide a strong financial incentive for
consumers to invest in long-term care insurance and
reduce financial costs to taxpayers.
Senate Bill 548, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman
(R-Centre), would create the
Long-Term Care (LTC) Partnership Program, which would
provide a financial incentive for individuals to buy LTC
insurance, and orders the state Department of Public Welfare
to file Pennsylvania’s state plan for LTC insurance with the
federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by June
30th of this year. The measure is intended to give people
the opportunity to protect their personal assets by buying
the insurance. The Department of Public Welfare missed its
self-imposed deadline to submit Pennsylvania’s plan to the
federal government, which necessitated the legislation.
Under the current system,
health care consumers are required to spend down 'their
assets before taxpayer-funded Medicaid steps in to cover the
expenses associated with long-term care. As a result, many
individuals and families lose all of their assets well
before they go into long-term care, and then taxpayers are
forced to pick up the costs, which can be significant.
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Licensing Standards Established for
Assisted Living Facilities |
For the first time, assisted
living facilities will be licensed in Pennsylvania, defining
such residences and the services that may be offered.
Act 56 of 2007, sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-31), sets
minimal standards for the regulation of the industry by the
state Department of Public Welfare and supports the
philosophy that individuals should be
permitted to remain in a home-like atmosphere of their
choice for as long as possible.
Although many personal care
homes often refer to themselves as assisted living
facilities, there currently is no official licensure
category for this type of care. By creating this type of
license, citizens will be able to determine what kind of
services to expect and whether the setting will address
their needs.
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New Law Provides Staffing
Flexibility |
A package of bills recently became law
that will give health care facilities more flexibility in
staffing, allowing them to better use their resources and
keep health care costs down.
The measures increase the number of
physician
assistants that may be supervised by a physician, and
broadens the work that can be done by
Certified Nurse Practitioners and
nurse-midwives.
Nurses will be able to order certain
medical equipment and care, make referrals for certain types
of therapy and dietitian referrals, and perform other
functions. Nurse-midwives will be able to prescribe,
dispense, order and administer specific drugs.
Nurses play a vital role in providing
quality health care, and expanding their scope of practice
means physicians can spend their time more cost-effectively.
All of these changes include measures
to protect patient safety.
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Senate Passes Bill to
Help Doctors, Hospitals Digitize Medical Records |
The Senate approved legislation to help hospitals, doctor’s
offices, and health care clinics create computerized systems
to better diagnose and treat patients.
Currently, 90 percent of health care data information is
exchanged via telephone, fax, or mail.
Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Senate Communications and
Technology Committee Chairman Rob Wonderling (R-Montgomery),
would enable grant recipients to receive up to $1 million in
matching funds to purchase health information technology,
help pay the costs and expenses associated with
implementation, and train personnel in the use of the new
system.
In addition to improving health care quality and
reducing costs, Senate Bill 8 would help make the
medical process more convenient for consumers. Patients
would be able to get their lab results sent to their home
computer, prescription drugs could be renewed with a click
of a button, individuals could receive medical advice from
their doctor over the internet, and parents could print out
their child’s immunization records at home.
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Senate
Acts Help Uninsured Cancer Patients Get Access To Medication |
The Senate passed legislation to establish a cancer drug
repository in Pennsylvania to help uninsured patients and
those in need gain access to safe, unused cancer
medications. Cancer patients who are uninsured or
underinsured could access these medications through a
network of participating pharmacies and medical
clinics.
The American Cancer Society has stated that unused cancer
medication is a valuable resource for low-income patients.
Under
Senate Bill 638, sponsored by Sen. Rob Wonderling
(R-Montgomery), a health care facility, health clinic,
hospital, pharmacy or physician’s office could return unused
drugs. Only medications in their original, sealed, and
tamper-resistant packaging would be accepted and dispensed.
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Senate
Approves Legislation to Improve Access to Dental Care |
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Pat
Vance (R-Cumberland) to address the needs of Pennsylvanians
without access to routine, preventive dental services.
Currently, the Commonwealth requires professional dental
services to be delivered by or under the supervision of a
dentist. There is an acute shortage of dentists willing to
treat individuals on Medical Assistance and as a result,
these individuals often only receive dental care when it is
absolutely necessary. By allowing dental hygienists to
provide preventive and routine care, Pennsylvania
would prevent health problems related to poor dental care.
Senate Bill 455 would allow public health dental hygiene
practitioners to provide services within their current scope
of practice, in specified institutions such as nursing
homes, schools, mobile dental units and correctional
facilities without the supervision of a dentist. The dental
hygiene practitioner would have to be certified by the State
Board of Dentistry as having completed 3,600 hours of
practice under the supervision of a licensed dentist and
have a malpractice policy.
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Senate
Passes Bill to Post Personal Care Facility on Web |
The licensure status of facilities caring for the elderly
and disabled would be available via the Internet under
legislation approved today by the Senate
Senate Bill 811, sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance
(R-Cumberland), would require the creation of a website with
licensing and certification information on nursing
homes, personal care homes and domiciliary care homes.
This data would include information on violations of statute
or regulation by the facility and any corrective action
taken.
The state Department of Public Welfare disclosed earlier
this year that 73 percent of personal care homes in the
state have not been inspected on time.
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Senate Acts to Help
Uninsured Pennsylvanians
The Senate today unanimously approved and sent to the House of
Representatives two bills aimed at expanding options for Pennsylvanians without
medical insurance coverage.
(full
story)
 
- Sen. Don White
- Sen. Corman
Committee Acts to Help Uninsured Pennsylvanians
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today approved two bills aimed at
expanding health care options for Pennsylvanians with coverage, according to
Committee Chairman Senator Don White (R-41).
(full
story)
Committee Sets Hearings on Merger
Recommendations
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will hold two public hearings in
the upcoming weeks to take testimony prior to developing its recommendations on
the proposed merger of Highmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross, according to
Committee Chairman Senator Don White (R-41).
(full
story)
Committee Approves Erickson’s Community-Based
Health Care Program
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson
(R-26), today unanimously approved a major piece of a comprehensive health care
package designed to improve and expand health care access and affordability in
Pennsylvania.
(full
story)
- Sen. Erickson
- Sen. Baker
Testimony of Senator Don
White Before the State Insurance Department/Blues Merger
Commissioner Ario,
distinguished panelists, I would like to open by thanking you for the
opportunity to present my views and concerns regarding the proposed merger of
Highmark and Independence Blue Cross. As Chairman of the Senate Banking
and Insurance Committee, I have a number of concerns about the potential impact
this extraordinary merger would have on all aspects of healthcare in
Pennsylvania.
(full
story)
Governor Signs House Bill 1150
Governor Ed Rendell today signed
House Bill 1150, a measure to require insurance companies to provide
coverage for autism services and colorectal cancer screening and to provide
state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance
companies, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and
Insurance Committee.
(full
story)
Orie: Senate Endorses Bill to Expand PA's
Newborn Screening Program
The state Senate today approved legislation
that would expand Pennsylvania’s Newborn Screening and Follow-up Program to
include 29 “core” genetic conditions that are serious but treatable if
caught early, according to Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny).
(full
story)
Sen. Orie Co-Chair of
the Autism Caucus Votes for Landmark Legislation providing for Autism Insurance
Coverage
Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) today hailed passage of landmark and national
model legislation that would require Pennsylvania insurance companies, for the
first time, to cover treatment for a wide spectrum of autism disorders.
House Bill 1150 passed the Senate with a bi-partisan vote of 49 to 1. If
signed into law, it would be one of the strongest insurance mandates for autism
yet achieved in the nation.
(full
story)
Sen. Orie Champions
Approval of Landmark Legislation Providing for Autism Insurance Coverage
Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) today hailed passage of landmark and national
model legislation that would require Pennsylvania insurance companies, for the
first time, to cover treatment for a wide spectrum of autism disorders. House Bill 1150
passed the Senate by a vote of 49 to 1. The Governor has indicated his support
and intention to sign this legislation into law. It will be one of the
strongest insurance mandates for autism yet achieved in the nation.
(full
story)
Blues Oversight Bill
Headed to the Governor
Legislation providing for state oversight of proposed mergers involving
non-profit health insurance companies received final legislative approval today
and is headed to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law,
according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance
Committee.
(full
story)
Senate Approves
Tomlinson Amendment To Cover Screening for Colorectal Cancer
The Senate today approved
legislation that would ensure more Pennsylvanians are screened for
colorectal cancer according to Senator Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks), who was
the prime sponsor of the original bill.
(full
story)
Senate Approves
House Bill 1150
The Senate today approved
House Bill 1150, a measure to require insurance companies to provide
coverage for autism services and colorectal cancer screening and to provide
state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance
companies, according to Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking
and Insurance Committee.
(full
story)
Committee Approves Blues Merger Oversight Bill
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today approved a bill to provide
state oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance
companies and to require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism
services and colorectal cancer screening, according to Committee Chairman
Senator Don White (R-41).
(full
story)
Clean Indoor Air Act Passes Senate
HARRISBURG
- Today, health advocates, cancer fighting
organizations, and thousands of Pennsylvanians waiting to breathe free,
celebrate the final passage of Senate Bill 246, the Clean Indoor Air Act, making
Pennsylvania the 28th state to enact a comprehensive smoking ban that prohibits
smoking in most public places and workplaces.
(full
story)
Senate Republicans Announce Health Care Package
to Improve Access and Affordability
Senate Republicans announced
a comprehensive health care package designed to improve health care access
and affordability by building on approaches that are working and doing it in
a fiscally responsible way.
(full
story)
Senate Passes
Erickson Bill to Stabilize Mental Health/Mental Retardation Funding
Legislation sponsored by Sen.
Ted Erickson (R-26) to establish consistent support for community mental
health and mental retardation services was approved by the state Senate
today.
(full
story)
Governor Signs Legislation to Create Cancer
Drug Repository
Governor Edward G. Rendell signed legislation (SB 638) introduced by state
Senator Rob Wonderling (R-24th) to establish a cancer drug repository in
Pennsylvania to help uninsured patients and those in need gain access to
safe, unused cancer medications. Cancer patients who are uninsured or
underinsured could access these medications through a network of
participating pharmacies and medical clinics.
(full
story)
Senate Approves Baker Bill to Improve Review of Child
Deaths
The state
Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker aimed at
increasing child safety in Pennsylvania. The bill would implement a
child death review program to coordinate local teams to examine the
circumstances surrounding deaths of individuals under the age of 21.
(full
story)
Senate
Majority Policy Committee Holds Hearing on Affordability of Healthcare
- Part 1 (running time 1 hour 13 minutes)
- Part 2 (running time 1 hour 22 minutes)
Committee
Holds Public Hearing on DPW Pharmaceutical Carve-Out Proposal
The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson
(R-26), held a public hearing today on the state Department of Public Welfare's
proposal to carve pharmaceutical services out of its managed care programs.
(full
story)
 - Part 1 (running time 56 minutes)
- Part 2 (running time 1 hour, 16 minutes)
-
Sen. Erickson
Second
Hearing on Health Centers and Care for Low-Income and Uninsured
Pennsylvanians
As part of the ongoing effort to make quality health care more accessible in
Pennsylvania, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen.
Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), will hold a second public hearing tomorrow on the
role that health centers play in providing care for low-income and uninsured
Pennsylvanians.
(full
story)
Committee
Exploring Health Centers and Care for Low-Income and Uninsured
Pennsylvanians
As part of the ongoing effort to make quality health care more accessible in
Pennsylvania, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen.
Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), is examining the role that health centers play in
providing care for low-income and uninsured Pennsylvanians.
(full
story)
Senator Corman: Affordability in Health Care is Key to Greater Access
As the governor and Legislature begin negotiations on this year's state
budget, one of the key areas of debate will be health care.
(full
story)
Senate Republicans Urge House to Consider One-Year Extension to MCare Abatement Program
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati
(R-25), Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9), and Senate Banking and
Insurance Committee Chairman Don White (R-41) today called on House leaders to
consider legislation which would extend Pennsylvania's MCare abatement program
for one year.
(full
story)
Uninsured Pennsylvanians: Sen. Corman Discusses the Rendell Administration’s
Plan
In January 2007, Governor Rendell first introduced his Prescription for
Pennsylvania that included the Cover All Pennsylvanians health care plan. While
sounding nice, the details left many with the feeling that CAP would be a bitter
pill to swallow. In fact, over a year has passed and as more information comes
out about the plan, the harder it is to swallow.
(full
story)
Senator White Comments on House Democrat Health
Care Plan
Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee,
issued the following statement in response to the House Democrat health care
proposal passed by the House of Representatives today.
(full
story)
Uninsured Pennsylvanians: Who are the
Uninsured?
Sen. Jake Corman notes that 8% of Pennsylvania residents are
without health insurance and fewer than 4% lack access to private insurance,
and advocates measures that will lower the cost of health care so everyone
who wants coverage has access.
Sen. Corman's Floor Remarks
Uninsured Pennsylvanians: Breaking Down the
Numbers
Addressing
the Senate on Monday, Public Health and Welfare Committee Chairman Ted Erickson
(R-26) broke down the numbers of Pennsylvanians without health insurance and
outlined an approach to increase access to coverage.
On Tuesday, Sen. Jake Corman (R-34) explained the $6.3 billion Pennsylvania
spends to provide health insurance to those without it, and the need to reduce
health care costs.
- Sen. Erickson
- Sen.
Corman
Capital Blue Cross: Merger
Would End Most Competition
The proposed merger of Highmark and Independence Blue
Cross (IBC) would effectively end health care insurance
competition in most of Pennsylvania, Capital Blue Cross CEO
and President Anita Smith told the Senate Banking and
Insurance Committee.
(full
story)
Clock Strikes Twelve for MCARE Abatement
Midnight on December 31 not only caps off 2007, but marks the end of a
program that Pennsylvania instituted to help health care providers in high-risk
fields meet their state-mandated medical malpractice insurance requirements,
according to Senator Don White (R-41 and Chairman of the Senate Banking and
Insurance Committee).
(full
story)
Senate Again Approves Bill Extending MCARE
Senator Don White (R-41 and Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee)
hailed the passage of another bill to extend the MCARE
program, which provides a financial safety net to help
Pennsylvania's health care providers
cover their medical malpractice insurance costs.
(full
story)
Sen. Don White
Sen. Pileggi
Sen. Corman
Statement of Senator Don White:
Raiding the MCARE Fund is not a "Healthy" Answer
Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee,
issued the following statement in response to the Governor's plan to raid the
state's MCARE fund to pay for his universal health care proposal.
(full
story)
Senate Approves Senator
White's Bill Extending MCARE
The Senate approved Senate Bill 1137, a measure
introduced by Senator Don White (R-41) to extend the MCARE
program, which provides a financial safety net to help
Pennsylvania’s health care providers cover their medical
malpractice insurance costs.
(full
story)
- Sen. Don White
- Sen. Rafferty
"Blues" Merger Must be Part of Fall Legislative
Agenda
Following on the heels of a very strident clash over the state budget this
year, Governor Ed Rendell has laid out a rather extensive agenda of issues he
would like the General Assembly to consider this fall.
(full
story)
Corman's
Long-Term Care Insurance Incentive Bill Signed Into Law
Legislation
written by Senator Jake Corman (R-34) that would provide a
strong financial incentive for consumers to invest in
long-term care insurance and reduce financial costs to
taxpayers was signed into law by the Governor.
(full
story)
Legislation
to Ease Barriers to Routine Dental Care Heads to Governor,
Vance Says
Legislation to improve access to routine, preventive dental
care has been sent to the Governor after the House approved Sen. Pat Vance's (R-Cumberland/York) bill.
(full
story)
Vance Legislation to License Assisted Living Facilities
Sent to Governor
Assisted living facilities would be licensed under
legislation the Senate sent to the Governor, said Sen. Pat
Vance (R-Cumberland/York), who is the prime sponsor.
(full
story)
Erickson
Bill to Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections Heads to
Governor
The state Senate passed and sent to the
Governor legislation sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26)
to reduce the number of healthcare‑associated infections in
the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 968 will establish the
steps to be taken by state government agencies
and healthcare facilities to prevent, track, and reduce infections.
(full
story)
Committee
Approves Another "Blues Merger Oversight"
Reacting to the legislative inertia of the Rendell
Administration, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
approved yet another bill intended to
provide state oversight of proposed mergers involving
non-profit health insurance companies, according to Senator
Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance
Committee.
(full
story)
Senator
Wonderling Legislation to Create Cancer Drug Repository
Passes Senate
The Pennsylvania Senate passed
legislation (SB 638) to establish a cancer drug repository
in Pennsylvania to help uninsured patients and those in need
gain access to safe, unused cancer medications. Cancer
patients who are uninsured or underinsured could access
these medications through a network of participating
pharmacies and medical clinics.
(full
story)
Vance Legislation to Improve
Access to Dental Care Passes Senate
The Senate approved
legislation sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York)
to address the needs of those without access to routine,
preventive dental services.
(full
story)
Senate Passes Vance Bill
Addressing Inspection Backlog
The
licensure status of facilities caring for the elderly and disabled would be
available via the Internet under legislation approved by the Senate, said
prime sponsor Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York).
(full
story)
Senate Approves Erickson Plan
to Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26) to reduce the number of
healthcare‑associated infections was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 968
would establish the roles of state government and healthcare facilities in
reducing the incidence of infections.
(full
story)
Orie And
Dinniman Introduce Legislation To Maximize Pennsylvania's Use Of Tobacco Settlement
Funds
State Senators
Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) and Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) announced the
introduction of legislation which would implement the recommendations of a
Senate Select Committee regarding Pennsylvania’s use of tobacco settlement
funds.
(full
story)
Senate Approves Corman's Long-Term Care Insurance Incentive
The state
Senate this week unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Senator Jake Corman
(R-34) that would provide a strong financial incentive for consumers to invest
in long-term care insurance and reduce financial costs to taxpayers.
(full
story)
Senate Sends Amended Blues
Merger Bill Back to House
The Senate
approved House Bill 112, legislation to provide state
oversight of proposed mergers involving non-profit health insurance companies,
and sent the amended bill back to the House for concurrence, according to
Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
(full
story)
Greenleaf Smokefree Workplace Bill Approved by
Committee
The Senate Public Health and Welfare
Committee moved forward legislation sponsored by Sen.
Stewart J. Greenleaf to provide smokefree workplaces
and public places in Pennsylvania.
(full
story)
Orie Again Introduces Legislation to Reform Pennsylvania's Medical Liability System
Senator Jane Orie
(R-Allegheny) announced the re-introduction of legislation that would
provide demonstration grants to hospitals and affiliated physicians for
the development and implementation of alternatives to litigation for resolving
disputes.
(full
story)
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