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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
3.19.2008 - 04:49pm ET
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Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, League of Women Voters Endorse Popular Single-Payer Healthcare Bill in Pennsylvania Today at Legislative Hearings in Harrisburg, PA
Support and Republicans, Democrats in Legislature Growing as Economic Success of Single-Payer Systems Becomes Better Known
(CSRwire) LANCASTER, PA - March 19, 2008 - Today, the Pennsylvania House Health and
Human Services Committee, Chaired by Representatives Frank Oliver
(Democrat) and George Kenney (Republican) held a hearing on House Bill
1660, The Family and Business Healthcare Security Act, which covers all
Pennsylvanians at lower cost to business.
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Bill George testified early in the day,
saying "It is a pleasure for me to testify in strong support of House Bill
1660, known as the Family and Business Healthcare Security Act, on behalf
of the Pennsylvania 900,000 affiliate union members in the
Commonwealth."
The bill was also endorsed by the League of Women Voters, represented by
Janice Horn, who spoke to a packed room of over 150 people in the Capitol
this morning. The bill would replace the current healthcare payment
system, which has become unsustainably costly, according to Chuck
Pennacchio, Executive Director of Healthcare For All Pennsylvanians (Healthcare4allPA.org).
"Rates double every 3 or 4 years for most businesses through no fault of
their own. This is a drag on the Pennsylvania economy, and people and
businesses are getting terribly hurt because of it. HB 1660 lowers and
controls costs for most business, relieves businesses of the
responsibility of shopping for and administering healthcare, and covers
all Pennsylvanians regardless of employment."
HB 1660 is growing in popularity and now has over 40 co-sponsors in both
the House and Senate, and has been promised approval by Pennsylvania
Governor Ed Rendell, who has said "if a single-payer bill makes it to my
desk, I will sign it." Democratic Representative Kathy Manderino called
for more hearings to discuss the mechanics of the new system, and
Republican Representative Fred McIlhattan suggested the funding of a full
economic study of the bill.
"The importance of today's support from these sensible legislators can not
be understated," continued Pennacchio. "And we're grateful for the
testimony and support of the AFL-CIO and the League of Women Voters, which
do not come lightly. Only a bill as sensible, pragmatic, and economically
sound as HB 1660 could bring such a diverse group together in support of
it."
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