HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Pennsylvania became the fifth U.S. state to seek universal health coverage for its citizens on Wednesday when it unveiled a plan to provide medical insurance for some three-quarters of a million residents who currently have none.
Yay for Penn!

Along with other states including Massachusetts and California, Pennsylvania is joining a growing movement among U.S. states to tackle the problem of residents without health care insurance, which according to some estimates number as many as 46 million Americans or about 15 percent of the population.
We need more states to do this!


"Employers and individuals have virtually no chance to keep up with the spiraling cost of health care," Rendell said at a news conference.
This is so true. Small businesses are suffering horribly. This however is only one issues with small businesses suffering. Another is large corporations deciding they're not going to pay them for another month or two because it's the end of the quarter and they want their numbers to look good. But that's another thread!


Health insurance premiums in Pennsylvania have risen 75.6 percent since 2000, compared with a 17 percent rise in inflation and a 13 percent increase in the median wage, Rendell said.
Ouch? 75.6%??? *winces*

I have to learn more about this but it sounds pretty good to me. I know I would be thrilled if my parents had some health insurance.