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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Pat Harkins |
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Harkins votes to extend insurance coverage
to more uninsured Pa. adults
HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Rep. Pat Harkins, D-Erie, today voted for legislation (H.B. 1) that would expand access to and improve Pennsylvania's adultBasic health insurance program.
The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
"This bill would ensure that more uninsured adults living in Erie County receive health care coverage, easing the burden of rising health care costs during the economic downturn," Harkins said. "While passage of this bill would only be the first step in addressing the health care crisis in Pennsylvania, my colleagues and I are ready and willing to continue searching for solutions."
Based on data collected in late 2007 and early 2008 by Market Decisions LLC, the state Insurance Department has estimated Pennsylvania had more than 877,900 uninsured adults ages 19-64, including nearly 16,000 in Erie County.
House Bill 1 would expand the number of adultBasic enrollees and add fundamental benefits including prescription medications, chronic disease management, preventative and wellness care, and behavioral health care.
Harkins noted that by adding prescription drug and behavioral health coverage, H.B. 1 would not only make adultBasic more cost-effective in managing disease and illness, but also would ensure the program qualifies for federal funding of 54 cents on the dollar.
To be eligible for adultBasic coverage under H.B. 1, a person would have to:
· earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level;
· be a Pennsylvania resident at the time of application and a legal resident of the United States;
· not have insurance nor have been insured for the six months immediately preceding application;
· not be eligible for Medicare; and
· be between 19 and 64 years of age.
House Bill 1 is a central component of Health PAct, the House Democrats' package of bills aimed at reforming the state's health-care system.
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