Key state legislators have called for significant new revenues to be earmarked for state health care expansion, either during a special session this fall or during the 2008 General Assembly session.

Senator Rob Garagiola (D-Dist. 15) and Delegate Dan Morhaim (D-Dist. 11), co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing, stated at a committee meeting this week that reducing the number of uninsured will be a key part of upcoming deliberations to balance the state’s long term deficit.

The committee will conduct hearings this summer and fall and will work to develop consensus on proposals to expand access to health care. Upcoming meetings will discuss individual mandates and employer assessments similar to those enacted in Massachusetts. Any business interested in offering health care suggestions or describing problems should contact Ron Wineholt at rwineholt@mdchamber.org .