Hughes Applauds Call for Action on Health Care

HARRISBURG, November 10, 2008 - State Sen. Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) today applauded Gov. Ed Rendell’s call for legislative action on health care legislation that would provide low-cost, high-quality health-care insurance for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.

At a news conference in Philadelphia today, Rendell asked the Senate to return to session to consider the comprehensive health-care insurance legislation that passed the state House in March.

Prior to last month’s election recess, Hughes and state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) sent letters to Rendell and Senate Republican leadership urging prompt legislative action on the proposed Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care (PA ABC) plan.

“Governor Rendell today called on the Senate to return to session and work on a significant health-care reform measure,” Hughes said. “We are elected to serve the people. Health-care access is a top priority for many Pennsylvanians.”

Senate Bill 1137, the PA ABC proposal, would extend health care to at least 270,000 working adults, continue the state’s commitment to helping doctors pay their medical malpractice premiums and help small-business employers who already offer their employees health care.

“When President-elect Obama takes office in January, I am confident that health care will once again be a top national priority, but Pennsylvania needs to focus and immediately tackle PA ABC,” Hughes said. “It is imperative that we restart discussions on how to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”

The legislation passed the House of Representatives by a 118-81 vote in March and is now in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.

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