Pennsylvania Health Secretary Focuses on Changing the Climate of Health Care During National Public H...( HARRISBURG Pa. April 7 2008 -- P...),Health

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Calvin B. Johnson kicked off National Public Health Week today in Harrisburg by urging United Way executives to help change the health care climate in Pennsylvania.

"This week, we will be meeting with those who are working to improve the health of our communities," Dr. Johnson said. "The lack of health insurance has an enormous impact on the health care climate in Pennsylvania because people without insurance are more likely to delay needed health care. We must make sure those who need affordable health insurance are able to access it."

Dr. Johnson and Governor Edward G. Rendell are urging the state Senate to adopt the Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care, or PA ABC, initiative that the House of Representatives recently passed.

PA ABC would provide hundreds of thousands of uninsured adults with access to affordable insurance.

During National Public Health Week, Dr. Johnson will be traveling across the state to recognize local partnerships, schools and organizations that are practicing innovative ways to improve the health of their communities.

National Public Health Week is held annually during the first full week of April.

Governor Rendell's Prescription for Pennsylvania has lead the charge to change health care in the commonwealth. Under RX for Pa, the Governor established the chronic care commission to improve the treatment of those suffering from chronic diseases, legislation was passed to ensure that all health care professionals could practice to the fullest extent of their training, and the Governor signed a bill into law to eliminate hospital-acquired infections by establishing a reporting system. However, much work remains to be done, including the passage of PA ABC.

For more information on National Public Health Week in Pennsylvania, visit