September 11th, 2008

The Associated Press reported today that Gov. Rendell is urging legislators to add more session days to their currently scant fall schedule.

Rendell said yesterday that both parties are coming closer to a compromise on healthcare policy, which will result in insurance for hundreds and thousands of currently uncovered Pennsylvanians.  More session days are needed to come to a final deal, he says.

Rendell and  House Democrats have been pushing a proposal that dips into the MCARE surplus — a fund that traditionally helps doctors pay for malpractice insurance — to help fund the state subsidized insurance for adults.  Sen. Erickson (R-Delaware), Chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee stated yesterday that the source of funding, particularly for the future, remains the point of contention between the parties.

Currently the House, which has planned lame duck voting days unlike the Republicans, does not plan on adding additonal session days.   “We don’t need more session days, we need the Senate to stand up for uninsured adults by concurring on our proposal that we sent them 177 days ago,” said Rep. DeWeese’s press secretary, Tom Andrews.  The Senate Republicans are yet to respond on the issue.