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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2010
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Senate Approves High-Risk Health Insurance Pool 

Legislation creating a “High-Risk Pool” for individuals to obtain affordable health insurance highlighted the Senate’s action the week of May 3rd, according to Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40).

Senate Bill 507, the High Risk Health Insurance Pool Act, is a key part of the Senate Republican HealthNET PA legislative package to expand access and improve the quality of health care for Pennsylvania’s citizens.  Sen. Orie co-sponsored this measure.

The high-risk pool is compatible with the new federal law.  In general, any Pennsylvania resident with a pre-existing condition would be eligible for pool coverage under this legislation. Dependents would also be included.

The bill would establish a governing board consisting of insurers, health care experts, business community, and members of the general public.  The board would then hire an administering insurer to manage the pool.  Persons electing to purchase health insurance under the pool would be required to pay premiums as determined by the board.

Continuing Education Measure For Engineers And Surveyors Heads To Governor

Legislation to update continuing education requirements for engineers, land surveyors and geologists is headed to the Governor following Senate approval of the measure on Tuesday. 

House Bill 975 will require professional engineers, land surveyors and geologists to complete 24 professional development hours of continuing education every two years. The legislation also provides geologist-in-training certification to improve the marketability of recent geology graduates.  The legislation is supported by the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, Society of Land Surveyors, Council of Professional Geologists and the Department of State.

Senate backs state Center for Health Careers

The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 174 on Wednesday.  This legislation would amend the Workforce Development Act to formally establish in statute the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers.

The Center was created in 2004 as an initiative of the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board.  Current funding is provided by the Nursing Shortage Initiative appropriation in the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).  The Center is tasked with developing strategies to address short-term and long-term health care work force challenges including:  increasing the capacity for nursing education; retaining health care workers; increasing diversity in health care workers; and, responding to the demand for critical care workers.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

Contact:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-6538