U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, this week joined with a group of colleagues in the House of Representatives to unveil bipartisan legislation to guarantee quality, affordable universal health care.A senior member on the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, English called the Healthy Americans Act the first bipartisan comprehensive health care reform bill to cover every American in more than a decade.At a news conference Wednesday, the congressman said the measure would not alter or eliminate Medicare or Veterans health care programs.The Healthy Americans Act would provide affordable, private health care for Americans at a level of care comparable to that available to members of Congress, said English, an original co-sponsor of the bill.Specifically, the measure will revamp the employer-based health insurance system and allow the federal government to oversee private health care plans chosen by individuals.According to the measure, each state would establish a Health Help Agency that will reduce administrative costs by coordinating payments from employers, individuals and the government.These agencies would also provide consumers with information about competing private health plans and determine premium reductions to ensure consumers can afford their plan.English claimed the legislation also would promote personal responsibility and preventive care by providing incentives for individuals and insurers to focus on prevention, wellness and disease management.———State Sen.

Jane Orie, R-40th, joined Gov. Ed Rendell on Wednesday at the Vista School in Hershey for the signing into law of landmark legislation that will require Pennsylvania insurance companies to cover treatment for autism disorders.Orie said the state law is now one of the strongest insurance mandates for autism in the nation.It provides $36,000 a year for applied behavior analysis and other medically necessary treatments up to age 21, with no lifetime cap.Additionally, it creates an expedited appeals procedure for denied claims for autism services, as a safeguard to ensure the law is followed."Autism is one of the most serious developmental disorders in the country today and is more prevalent than pediatric AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined,"Orie said.She cited recent studies that suggested a 1-in-150 occurrence of autism in children."Because of these high numbers and of the importance of early diagnosis,"she said," it is essential that something be done to help families deal with the high costs of treatments."Orie commended Sen.

Don White, D-41st, for his role in passing the legislation.———Butler County Democrats for Change, DPAC, will meet at 7 p.m. July 16 at the Steelworkers Hall, 205 S. Duffy Road, Butler Township. For information, call the group's president, Karen Trempus, at 724-586-6553.