HARRISBURG, July 27, 2009 - State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) announced today that Pittsburgh City Council has passed a resolution demanding that the Pittsburgh delegation of the Pennsylvania General Assembly fund an unbiased economic impact study, hold public hearings, and exercise the power of their offices to swiftly enact health care reform legislation in Pennsylvania.
“I am honored that the City of Pittsburgh has recognized the benefits of providing quality comprehensive healthcare to all citizens of the Commonwealth,” Ferlo said. “It is my sincere hope that my colleagues in the legislature take this resolution seriously and take the adequate steps to see this legislation passed.”
The Family and Business Health Security Act, Senate Bill 400 and House Bill 1660, would provide affordable, comprehensive health care for every Pennsylvanian with services covered to include primary care, inpatient, outpatient and emergency hospital care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, hearing, dental and vision care, chiropractic treatment, mental health services, and long-term care.
Ferlo added that the proposed law would replace profit-driven insurers, with a publicly funded, privately run system, paid for by using existing state and federal funds, a 3 percent earnings tax and a 10 percent payroll tax; eliminating premiums, co-pays and caps on benefits.
“Due to this crushing economic recession, the need for quality healthcare is imperative,” Ferlo said. “In Pennsylvania alone, over 1.5 million people have no health insurance, another 2 million are underinsured and those numbers are increasing steadily.”
The Pittsburgh resolution states that the City of Pittsburgh would realize significant savings in premiums paid on behalf of its employees and retirees, for example, the city would save $20,966,457 in the current year. It also states that passage of this legislation would provide a national model and attract business to Pennsylvania.
“Health care is a basic human right of all people,” Ferlo said. “This legislation will ensure that all Pennsylvanians have the health care they deserve.”
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