SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR THE WEEK OF
March 23, 2009

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            The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 89.  The measure would create a Health Care Cost Containment Council Act Review Committee which would study, review and recommend changes to the Act, among other aspects. The bill also changes the sunset date to June 30, 2014.

            The Health Care Cost Containment Council, which is an independent state agency responsible for addressing the problem of escalating health costs, ensuring the quality of health care, and increasing access for all citizens regardless of ability to pay, is due to end operations for good by June 30, 2009. 

            The Senate failed to reauthorize the Council before adjourning in October 2008. Gov. Ed Rendell extended the Council by Executive Order.

            The bill would also amend the Health Care Cost Containment Act by establishing a payment data advisory group that will produce recommendations surrounding the collection of payment data in order to assure the technical appropriateness and accuracy of payment data. 

            The measure is now in the House.  

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            The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 189, which would allow dependent children to receive health insurance coverage through their parent’s policy up to age 30.

           To be eligible, the dependent child must be 29 years of age or younger, unmarried, have no dependents, be a Pennsylvania resident or enrolled as a full-time student at an institution of higher education in Pennsylvania, and have no coverage through any other health insurance plan.

            The extension of coverage would not apply to hospital indemnity, accident, specified disease, disability income, dental or vision insurance; insurance provided by the U.S. military; Medicare supplemental insurance; long-term care; and other limited benefit plans.

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            The Senate unanimously approved legislation that would further define “industrialized/commercial modular building” and “industrialized/commercial building module.”

            Senate Bill 195 would define “industrialized/commercial modular building” as a structure designed for commercial occupancy, and classified within nonresidential use. 

            The bill would define “industrialized/commercial building module” as a whole or partially closed wall structure incorporating one or more rooms, which is made in a manufacturing facility and separately transported to the building site.   

            Also, the Department of Labor and Industry would be authorized to enter into a multistate agreement for the purpose of regulating the construction of components of industrialized/commercial modular buildings. 

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            The Senate unanimously approved legislation that would amend the Judicial Code to provide exceptions on the right to bail for the most serious crimes.

            Under Senate Bill 366, an individual who is charged with criminal offenses is entitled to bail, except under the following circumstances:

·         The offense charged is a capital offense;

·         The offense charged is punishable by a maximum term of life imprisonment; or

·         No condition or conditions of bail would reasonably assure the safety of any person and the community.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

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            The Senate unanimously approved legislation that would prohibit payment for health care-acquired infections or medical mistakes.

            Senate Bill 443 would prevent health care providers from seeking payment from patients or health insurers for a medical error that occurred to a patient who received care from that health care provider.  

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            The Senate passed Senate Bill 490 with a vote of 33 to 17. 

            The measure would appropriate monies from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to the General Fund and for various conservation programs.

            The monies would be distributed as follows:

·         $147 million to the General Fund;

·         $1 million to the Department of Environmental Protection for the review and processing of oil and gas permit applications and to conduct inspections of permitted oil and gas sites;

·         $3.5 million to the Department of Environmental Protection for the implementation of a nutrient credit trading program as provided by law;

·         $1 million to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the administration of the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program and for the processing of online environmental review applications under the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory;

·         $500,000 to the Fish and Boat Commission for the administration of environmental reviews received under the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory; and

·         $500,000 to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for the administration of environmental reviews received under the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory.

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