HUGHES CALLS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE BY FEBRUARY 14

            PHILADELPHIA, January 14 - State Sen. Vincent Hughes today joined Gov. Ed Rendell in urging the General Assembly to negotiate a compromise by Valentine’s Day to cover all Pennsylvanians with health insurance.

 Speaking at a news conference this morning at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), Hughes said now is the time to pass an insurance plan that covers more than 700,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians – most of whom are low-income workers.

“Why are we waiting?” Hughes asked. “We have the money in place to get this done.  We cannot continue to wait and hope that our federal government takes up this issue. The time to act is now.”

            Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) introduced a Senate amendment last month that would use the large surplus in Pennsylvania’s MCARE fund to jump start coverage for all Pennsylvanians.  That amendment effort failed.

However, the lawmaker redrafted the amendment and introduced it as a bill in the Senate.   Hughes hoped that with additional information available, as well as strong advocacy from the governor, the measure (SB 1242) would be received favorably when it reached the Senate floor.

Backing Hughes at today’s event was state Sen. Vincent Fumo (D-Philadelphia) and dozens of health-care professionals.

            “We see every day the inextricable link between coverage and wellness,” said PCOM President and CEO Dr. Matthew Schure.

            To fund the plan, Gov. Rendell has proposed hiking the cigarette tax by an additional 10 cents a pack. He has also recommended establishing a new tax on smokeless tobacco products. Hughes said Pennsylvania has the dubious distinction of being the only state in America to sell dangerous smokeless tobacco products tax-free.