|
For Immediate
Release
5/4/11
Listen
Senate Passes Erickson's Community-Based Health
Care Clinics Initiative
Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26) to
help develop and expand community-based health care clinics was approved
Tuesday by the Senate.
Senate Bill 5 would create
the Community-Based Health Care Program in the Department of Health to
provide grants to community-based health care clinics.
"Community-based health care clinics provide the uninsured with a
medical home that emphasizes a partnership among the patient, physician,
nurses, and clinic staff," said Erickson. "These health clinics become
the place where patients are known, recognized, supported, and where
they find a centralized base for medical care and connection to other
medical and supportive community services."
Unlike the new federal health care law and other proposals, Senate
Bill 5 would provide access to actual care – not simply to health
insurance.
"Health clinics provide high-quality and cost-effective health care
regardless of patients' insurance status or ability to pay. They also
help to reduce the use of costly hospital emergency visits, and
avoidable hospital admissions," said Erickson. "Today's vote moves
Pennsylvania closer to the day when quality health care is accessible to
many who don't currently have it."
The senator introduced similar legislation in the previous two
legislative sessions. The bill was approved by the Senate each time, but
not acted on in the House.
Senate Bill 5 was sent to the House of Representatives for
consideration.
CONTACT:
Tom Golden
610-853-4100
|
