Pennsylvania senators hope to save medical reporting agency

Two Pennsylvania senators are trying to resurrect a state agency that has developed a national reputation for reporting trends in hospital, surgical, and medical costs. Sens. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, and Pat Vance, R-Cumberland, said they will introduce a bill to reauthorize the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. Since the Pennsylvania Senate has gone home for the year with no agreement with the governor on health costs, the cost containment council will die Nov. 30. The proposed bill, which will be introduced in January, would extend the Council's life for five more years.