HARRISBURG — Pennsylvanians who can't get health insurance because of a pre-existing condition can apply soon to a new state-run program.

The state Insurance Department said it is taking applications starting Wednesday for a program with enough initial funding to serve 3,500 people. Subsidized premiums are $283.20 a month, plus copays.

The program "PA Fair Care" is an element of the new federal health care law. Applicants are enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario said the program provides an option for people who need coverage until 2014, when insurers will be barred from denying coverage or charging sick people more.

PA Fair Care is administered through a contract with Highmark Blue Shield and includes hospitalization, mental health services and prescription medications.

For more information, visit www.PAFairCare.com or call 888-767-7015.

PITTSBURGH — Officials said a chemical spilled inside a delivery truck as it arrived at a laboratory, sending the driver to the hospital.Spokesman David Anna said the truck apparently hit a bump just inside the Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory near Pittsburgh at about 1:45 p.m. He said a drum of acrylic acid tipped over, spilling less than a gallon of the material, which was not intended for the laboratory.Anna said the driver reported some breathing problems and dizziness and was checked out at a hospital and then returned to the site. Anna said the spill was confined to the truck, and Altoona-based Ward Trucking Company will remove the drum. Laboratory and county hazardous materials team and local firefighters responded.

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania's elected officials are hoping the U.S. Senate will soon sign off on some of the hundreds of millions in Medicaid money that's already part of the state's current budget.Senate Republican Leader Dominic Pileggi said Monday after a phone call on the topic with Gov. Ed Rendell that they're waiting to see if some or all of the $850 million gets approved.Pileggi said Rendell told him it is possible Pennsylvania will get about 70 percent of that amount.If the money isn't released, possible responses include cuts to school funding and layoffs of state workers.

HARRISBURG — Two candidates from third parties are putting in their nominating petitions to run for Pennsylvania governor and for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Arlen Specter.The Department of State said Monday that Libertarian Douglas Jamison and Green Party member Mel Packer submitted enough signatures to make the ballot for Senate. Libertarian Marakay Rogers and Tea Party candidate John Krupa have enough signatures to quality for the governor's race.They'll be on the ballot unless there's a successful legal challenge to their petitions.Third-party candidates had until the close of business Monday to submit their nominating petitions to qualify for the Nov. 2 election.

BELLE VERNON — Authorities said a construction worker was flown to a hospital after he fell 50 feet from underneath a bridge into a safety net.Officials in Westmoreland County said the worker was sandblasting under the Donora-Monessen Bridge in Rostraver Township, when he fell at about 4:30 p.m. Monday.Firefighters quickly responded and lowered the worker another 50 feet to safety. He was flown to Allegheny General Hospital, where his condition was not available.