Governor Rendell Says Pennsylvania is One Step Closer to Providing Access to Health Care for Pennsylvania's...(es that already offer healthinsurance to...),Health

"Finally, the ABC bill meets my goal of continuing to aid Pennsylvania's physicians with their malpractice costs while giving people access to care," Governor Rendell said. "Over the past five years, physicians have received nearly $1 billion in assistance and would continue to receive help in paying their malpractice bills for 10 years until the fund providing that coverage was phased out -- another goal that physicians have long sought.

"There were bipartisan votes for this bill and I congratulate those House members who had the courage to stand up for Pennsylvania citizens who are imploring us to give them a solution to their health care challenges. Now, all attention will turn to the Senate to pass this vital legislation."

The Governor repeated his opposition to signing a bill offering physicians just one more year of their malpractice abatements unless there was meaningful progress toward offering access to health care for Pennsylvanians. Without action by the Senate before March 31, the malpractice bills of physicians and other health care providers will begin to come due.

"A plan to provide health insurance has been on the table for more than one year," Governor Rendell said. "There has been ample time for study and discussion of this issue. Uninsured individuals and small businesses from across the state are clamoring for relief and help. The time to act is now. I urge the Senate to follow the House's lead and support ABC."

Information on the Governor's health care reform plan, Prescription for Pennsylvania, can be found at http://www.rxforpa.com. Information on PA ABC is available at the House Democratic Web site.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to supp
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