From Rendell’s universal health bill introduced:

A 96-page bill containing Gov. Ed Rendell’s universal health care plan was introduced in the state House today.

A statewide series of public hearings begins at 11 a.m. Monday in Room 140 in the main Capitol building.

Rendell wants to use a state-subsidized health insurance plan to help cover the uninsured. It would be funded, in part, with a 3 percent payroll tax. The tax would rise to 3.5 percent in 2010-2111, according to the bill introduced by state Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne.