Pennsylvania State Sen. Street: Bipartisan Healthcare Bills Moving Through the Senate

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, July 3 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats issued the following news release on behalf of Pennsylvania State Sen. Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia:

Sen. Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia) announced today a bipartisan healthcare bill is moving through the Pennsylvania Senate. House Bill 3 will create a Pennsylvania based health insurance exchange for individual market plans.

"I am very pleased that our legislature was able to work in a bipartisan fashion in both the House and Senate to move forward legislation that will improve the quality of healthcare for so many Pennsylvanians," said Street.

House Bill 3 is co-sponsored by Democratic leader of the House Rep. Frank Dermondy (D- Allegheny County/Westmoreland) and Republican leader of the House Rep. Bryan Cutler (R- Lancaster). The bill would create a state-based health insurance exchange for Affordable Care Act individual market plans. Having a market place controlled by the state of Pennsylvania will allow people to shop for the most cost-effective plans within the state that provide the healthcare coverage that they and their family need.

House Bill 3 unanimously passed the Pennsylvania House and Senate Chambers and awaits the signature of Governor Tom Wolf to become law.

"Providing the best healthcare for all Pennsylvanians will benefit us all for years to come," said Street. "I look forward to these bills being passed through the Senate and going on to the Governor's desk to be signed into law."