U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, last week helped to launch a health care task force for the New Democratic Coalition."The challenges facing our health care system — including rising costs, hospital acquired infections, and health disparities — can all be addressed through modernization," Altmire said.In 2006, insurance premiums reached an average of $11,480, marking an 87 percent increase since 2000. Equally disturbing is that Fortune 500 health care costs will exceed profits next year.Altmire said the task force will focus on three key areas vital to improving quality and affordability in the U.S. health care system: prevention, innovation and competition.———Two Republican state senators introduced legislation that would make it easier for active duty military personnel to buy hunting and fishing licenses at a reduced cost.Sens.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, and Bob Regola, R-Westmoreland, recently announced that the bills would amend the Game and Fish Codes by allowing all hunting and fishing license retailers, to sell special reduced-cost hunting or fishing licenses for active duty military, National Guard, and Reserve personnel.Currently, the special licenses sold for $1, are available only at Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, and county treasurer offices. The cost of a resident adult hunting license is $20 and $22 for a resident fishing license.Regola, a member of the Game & Fisheries Committee, said the intent of the legislation is to make it easier for service members to enjoy these recreational activities.Robbins, vice chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and a member of the Game and Fisheries Committee, said increasing the availability of the licenses is a way Pennsylvania can express its gratitude to military personnel.———Measures authored by U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, to deliver assistance to veterans and military families were signed into law Tuesday by President Bush as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2008.Altmire's provisions will ensure the proper treatment of traumatic brain injuries sustained by veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and will help military families handle issues that arise from a soldier's deployment.This measure requires the Veterans Administration to screen all veterans for symptoms, operate a comprehensive program of long-term care for TBI rehabilitation and create and maintain a TBI veteran health registry.The second measure, an amendment offered by Altmire and Rep. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico, will allow military families to use Family and Medical Leave time to manage issues, such as child care and financial planning, that arise as the result of the deployment of a spouse, parent, or child.Additional provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act are:• A 3.5 percent pay raise for military service members• Provisions of the Wounded Warrior Act which establish new requirements providing the people, training and oversight mechanisms needed to restore confidence in the quality of care and services received by wounded warriors and their families• Investments to prevent the occurrence of another Walter Reed-type scandal.