THE PROPOSAL

The "Prescription for Pennsylvania" plan would institute:

• State-paid health insurance premium subsidies for the low-income uninsured and low-wage employees of small employers

• A state health insurance purchasing pool

• An assessment equal to 3% of payroll for employers with more than 50 employees that do not offer health insurance

• A health insurance coverage requirement for individuals with income of more than 300% of the federal poverty level

• Incentives for health care providers to offer evening and weekend services to discourage emergency room treatment for routine problems