Mcare Abatement Bill Deserves Last Show of Support
The Pennsylvania Medical Society is asking the state House of Representatives to vote yes on House Bill 2648 when they return to session next week. The House has four days of session remaining on their calendar.
The Society believes that, despite a threatened veto by Gov. Ed Rendell if the bill reaches his desk, House passage will show the legislators’ clear understanding of the importance of physician recruitment and retention to access to care for Pennsylvanians.
Since the Senate amended the bill to include a two-year abatement extension, House concurrence would send the bill directly to the governor’s desk. At this time, HB 2648 remains in the House Rules Committee and has not yet been scheduled for a vote.
The legislature has been unable to agree on a plan to expand coverage for the uninsured, which the governor tied to extension of the Mcare abatement program.
Last Updated: 11/5/2008