PR Newswire - Pennsylvania

	    PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Public
Health Association (APHA) applauds the prevention and wellness provisions
in the health reform bill passed last night by the House.

    "With passage of this bill, the House takes important steps toward
universal coverage, supporting important insurance reforms and moving our
health system from one that focuses on treating the sick to one that
focuses on keeping people healthy," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP,
FACEP (E), executive director of APHA. "However, we urge Congress to take
another look and ensure that women have access to the full range of
reproductive health services in any health reform measure enacted."

    Earlier this year, APHA released its 2009 Agenda for Health Reform,
which outlines APHA's top priorities for health reform legislation. The
Affordable Health Care for America Act takes important steps toward
addressing many of these priority issues, including:



    --  Expanding health insurance coverage to include 96 percent of all
        Americans, barring insurance companies from discriminating against
        people based on pre-existing medical conditions and limiting premium age
        rating for older Americans;


    --  Creating a mandatory funding stream of $34 billion for a Prevention and
        Wellness Trust to strengthen core public health activities at the state
        and local level;


    --  Creating a "public option" insurance program as a competitive option to
        private insurance;


    --  Expanding the Medicaid program to cover individuals up to 150 percent of
        the federal poverty level, about $33,075 for a family of four;


    --  Requiring Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers to provide first
        dollar coverage for highly rated, evidence-based preventive health
        services;


    --  Prioritizing reducing health disparities in the prevention and wellness
        strategy and community services grants; and


    --  Addressing the need for primary care, nursing and public health
        professionals.
    "As thousands of public health professionals convene in Philadelphia
this week for APHA's 137(th) Annual Meeting, we look to the Senate to
ensure that these important public health provisions are reflected in the
chamber's health reform legislation and to continue our progress toward an
improved health system, which includes true universal coverage, a focus on
prevention and wellness, and ensures women have access to the full range of
reproductive health services."

    Learn more about the American Public Health Association.




    Contact: David Fouse
    Until Nov. 12: (215) 418-5250
    (202) 777-2501
    david.fouse@apha.org