Rendell ties malpractice aid to health insurance plan

The Associated Press
http://www.postgazette.com

Harrisburg, PA — A spokesman says Gov. Ed Rendell won’t extend state aid to help doctors pay medical malpractice insurance bills unless lawmakers take action on his proposal to expand state health insurance for adults.

The House and Senate are working on legislation that reduces the amount of money doctors must pay into a state-run medical-malpractice insurance program. The aid has been approved on a yearly basis for five years.

But Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo says lawmakers must takes steps to help more adults who can’t afford private insurance before he’ll approve the malpractice subsidy. Mr. Rendell is expected to elaborate at an afternoon news conference.

Mr. Rendell’s health-insurance proposal has been stalled by opposition to a business tax that would help pay for it.
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