"Ounce of Prevention" Bill Headed to Governor

Bill would provide home visits for at-risk parents

Legislation that would provide in home help for at-risk parents has cleared the General Assembly and is headed to the Governor's desk, according to Senator Pat Browne, R-16th District and a strong supporter of the initiative.

The House concurred Monday (April 3) with Senate amendments to House Bill 200, sending the measure to Governor Ed Rendell for enactment into law.

Under HB 200, also known as the "Ounce of Prevention Act," new parents could receive counseling and guidance on a voluntary basis. Senator Browne is the author of and Republican prime sponsor of Senate Bill 732, which mirrors the language of HB 200.

"I am very pleased that the General Assembly approved this important bill and I hope the Governor will now expeditiously sign it into law," Senator Browne said. "It is generally recognized that early home visitation programs provide significant benefits to young families. Helping these families learn good parenting skills will hopefully enable them to avoid future problems. Home visits help to ensure families' social and medical needs are met and that children grow in a safe home that prepares them for success in school."

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 821-8468

Statement of
Senator Pat Browne
16th Senatorial District
PACE/Medicare Part D

To fully understand why we are here today, we first have to consider the events of nearly two-and-a-half years ago.

November 25, 2003 was a landmark day for Pennsylvania's older residents and for senior citizens across the nation.

On that day, the state Senate passed and sent to the Governor legislation providing for a dramatic expansion of Pennsylvania's PACE and PACENET programs. Meanwhile, also on November 25, Congress passed the Medicare Modernization Act, which included the national prescription drug assistance program that evolved into Medicare Part D.

Individually, these were significant actions, but when taken together they show that Pennsylvania and the nation recognized the impact that rising prescription drug costs were having on families. Family budgets, especially those with fixed-incomes, simply weren't keeping up with the increased costs.

Since then, these two important programs have followed separate paths and many senior citizens have questions about the benefits that they are eligible to receive. The concern and confusion has risen to such a point among our older residents that I now include a discussion of the interrelation of PACE and Medicare Part D as part of my senior citizen expos.

I believe this legislation will not only benefit the Commonwealth by meshing these two important prescription drug programs, but will also reduce the level of confusion that is out there and thereby provide peace of mind to our older residents.

It is encouraging to see the interaction and cooperation between the federal government and our state agencies as we continue to work toward implementing this legislation. I hope that spirit will continue here in the General Assembly as we consider this bill.

I assure you the General Assembly recognizes the need to protect our older residents. It is well documented that more than 2.4 million Pennsylvanians are 60 or over. That's nearly 20 percent of our state's total population.

We, as Pennsylvania lawmakers, recognize that we have a special responsibility to make sure our older state residents have access to the best health care available, at an affordable price. Bringing the PACE and Medicare Part D programs into line is a great step in that direction.

Thank you.