Health care reform this fall—

The state Senate is currently holding up progress on expanding access to health care for the uninsured (SB 1137) and preventing  insurance companies from excluding people from coverage due to pre-existing health conditions (HB 2005).  Both bills have passed the House but have not been scheduled for a vote in the Senate.  After two years of fighting for reform in Pennsylvania's health care system we have only until October to pass legislation before the session ends..

Governor Rendell has committed to making health care reform a priority in the fall session.  The issue is to make sure that Senators are willing to support expanding coverage and regulating insurers on the issue of pre-existing conditions.  Contact your Senators now to demand a vote in the Senate on health care reform this fall.  To find their contact information enter your ZIP code at http://www.pasen.gov/index.cfm.  Let them know that you will remember on election day if nothing is done to improve health care in PA this fall.

It is particularly important to reach moderate Republicans in the Philadelphia suburbs and elsewhere who may feel vulnerable on this issue and may be willing to press Republican leadership to call for a vote on this critical issue.  The PA Health Access Network is scheduling a series of actions in August and September to push suburban legislators to support health care reform, including running radio ads, phone banks, candidate forums and rallies.  Attached is a flyer PHAN is using in the suburbs.  We will keep you informed on upcoming actions. 

Download flyer (pdf)