Rendell promotes health plan in Sharon

SHARON, Pa. — Gov. Ed Rendell brought his Prescription for Pennsylvania to the Shenango Valley in an effort to drum up support from local business leaders.

“This plan will get through the legislature if business weighs in,” Rendell said during an appearance today at the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce. “If business comes in and says this has got to end. If they hear from business, they will act.”

Rendell spent more than an hour explaining his plan that   proposes to cover 800,000 uninsured adults as well as drive down health-care costs for everyone else. His administration was responsible last year for instituting the Cover All Kids plan that will ensure that all Pennsylvania youngsters have health insurance by 2009.

Rendell said he hopes to have his Cover All Pennsylvanians, the adult plan, in place by 2008. The governor expects the state legislature will act sometime this summer.

A mix of federal, state and employer contributions will pay for the plan. Those who are self-employed or have lost their jobs also can buy into the plan, he said.

The state will help pay its portion with a 10-cent increase in the cigarette tax and its first tax on smokeless tobacco products. Rendell said Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that does not tax smokeless tobacco products.