Adjust Text Size

For Immediate Release
July 18, 2003

Governor Signs Sen. White's Health Care Cost Containment Council Bill

Harrisburg – Gov. Ed Rendell today signed into law legislation sponsored by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) that reauthorizes an independent agency designed to contain health care costs.  Senate Bill 387 extends the life of the HCCCC to June 30, 2008.

"The Health Care Cost Containment Council has proven useful to consumers, health care providers and policymakers. I'm happy that we were able to ensure its continued operation," said White.

The HCCCC is an independent state agency created in 1986 to address rising health care costs. The council aims to control costs by ranking the most efficient and effective health care providers to help consumers and group purchasers of health care make informed decisions. It also collects information for health care providers that they can use to identify opportunities to contain costs and improve the quality of care they deliver.

To help members of the General Assembly draft legislation, the HCCCC also studies the issue of access to care for the uninsured and makes recommendations about proposed or existing mandated health insurance benefits.

Under Senate Bill 387, the composition of the council would be expanded from 21 to 25 members to include a representative of rural hospitals, an additional physician representative, an individual with expertise in the application of continuous quality improvement methods in hospitals, and a nurse representative.

"The new Health Care Cost Containment Council will be more efficient, less burdensome and better reflective of the diverse health care community," said White.  "Health care cost is a serious issue, and the governor's enactment of this measure preserves a useful resource in confronting the challenge."

CONTACT:

Leigh Ramsey (Senator White) 717-787-9684