YOUR HELP IS STILL NEEDED - NOW MORE THAN EVER! 

YOUR CALL ONLY TAKES TWO MINUTES AND WILL HELP HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of PENNSYLVANIANS!  ALL of THEM THANK YOU!

                                               ACT TODAY and MONDAY !

2) Urge Your Representative to VOTE YES! on BOTH SB 1137 and HB 2005.

The Eachus amendment was passed late Wednesday night, and the entire bill (SB1137) is expected to go before the House for vote on Monday (3/17).

2)  Also Monday, the House is expected to work on another critical piece of health reform legislation, HB2005.  This bill puts into place more protections for consumers and small businesses when purchasing health insurance. HB2005 gives more authority to the PA Insurance Commissioner to regulate health insurance rates - insurance companies would have to prove that all rate increases are not excessive, not discriminatory, and actuarially sound. 

AND, HB2005 has a critical social justice component.  This bill prevents insurance companies from "medical underwriting" when setting rates for small businesses.  Right now, insurance companies essentially discriminate against consumers who have pre-existing conditions, chronic disease, and disabilities by charging them and/or their employers higher rates.  At times when people need health care the most, insurance companies make it most difficult for individuals and small businesses to afford it.  HB2005 would stop the practice of "medical underwriting."

Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!  If you would like more information on either SB1137 or HB2005, please let me know and I can send you fact sheets.  Please also consider joining Consumer Health Coalition for local organizing meetings.  The more voices, the better our chances are for achieving meaningful change.

Pennsylvanians deserve and need quality, affordable health care