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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Harrisburg – The state Senate today unanimously approved legislation to further advance discussion on establishing an initiative to help develop and expand community-based health care clinics that provide "medical homes" for the uninsured. Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26), establishes the framework for a program under which the growth of community health care clinics would be fostered as a way to provide integrated care to uninsured low-income individuals. "The provisions of the federal health care bill that was recently enacted will only get people insurance, it will not ensure that people can get care," said Erickson. "Senate Bill 5, on the other hand, seeks to make sure that people get the health care that they need." Community-based health care clinics provide the uninsured with a medical home that emphasizes a partnership among the patient, physician, nurses, and clinic staff. 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. Erickson noted that 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. "Senate Bill 5 establishes a framework to expand access to health care services to uninsured and low-income working Pennsylvanians more quickly, and at a fraction of the cost of other proposals, including the recently enacted 'one size fits all' federal approach," said Erickson.
Contact:
Michele Hansarick
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