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For Immediate Release A Conversation with Senator Brubaker Senate unveils health care package A comprehensive health care package designed to improve access and affordability of health care was recently unveiled by Senate Republicans. The HealthNET PA package builds on approaches that are working to expand direct access to health care and medicine for uninsured and low-income working Pennsylvanians in a fiscally responsible way. These bills would utilize information technology to cut costs and reduce health care-associated infections, while others would provide expanded insurance options for employers and families. I am introducing one of these bills to establish a Specialty Physician Volunteer Networking System that could provide care to approximately 159,000 uninsured low-income individuals. The System would be modeled after the successful Project Access Lancaster County group, through which more than 625 doctors and all four hospitals have come together to treat uninsured individuals. Such a system promotes continuity of care and preventative services by allowing patients to establish relationships with their doctors and reducing usage of more expensive emergency room services for non-emergencies. This package will ultimately help Pennsylvania work toward the goal of making health care affordable and accessible to everyone, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on these and other related measures. Legislation would address infrastructure needs I have been working in the state Senate to address funding needs for critical projects that will help improve the quality of Pennsylvania water. Both agricultural operations and municipal water treatment facilities are responsible for reducing levels of nutrients and sediments going into local waterways, necessitating targeted investments that will help them install conservation practices and finance required improvements. Several bills, particularly Senate Bill 2, would provide funding to Commonwealth communities to address this need, and are currently working their way through the state Senate. I have been working with stakeholders on this issue specifically through the local Chesapeake Bay Task Force, to help Lancaster County develop ways in which it can meet its obligations under the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy. This is a matter of great importance to me and I will continue to give it due diligence as a member of the General Assembly. Senate votes to support fire/EMS volunteers The state Senate has overwhelmingly approved a package of bills providing tax credit incentives to fire and EMS volunteers, a package I strongly supported. Volunteers miss time with their families, experience out-of-pocket expenses and above all, risk their lives on a daily basis to keep their communities safe. Pennsylvania has taken an active role in supporting these individuals and their companies in recent years, most notably through the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program and the annual grant program, but there is still much we can do to promote the recruitment and retention of volunteers. This three-bill package offers a positive step toward that goal by creating tax credits and tuition reimbursements for fire and emergency services volunteers and their employers. These incentives were also recommended by a 2003 report issued by a bipartisan commission of legislators, emergency responders and municipal representatives. Property tax/rent rebate deadline extended The Department of Revenue has announced that eligible senior citizens will have until the end of 2008 to file their Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications for property taxes and rent paid in 2007; the original deadline was June 30. Applications are available at the Lititz District Office at 301 E. Main Street, or you can call 717-627-0036 or toll-free 1-866-738-1601 to have one mailed to you. | ||
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