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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Bill
Thomas |
State Rep. Mark
Longietti |
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Longietti-sponsored health-care reform bill endorsed by House Insurance Committee
HARRISBURG, June 18 – State Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced that legislation he introduced that would expand access to health insurance coverage to many of the Commonwealth’s young adults was endorsed by the House Insurance Committee today.
Longietti’s proposed measure, which is a component of the House Democrats’ health-care reform package, would expand health-care coverage to young adults by allowing parents to keep a child on their insurance plan until the child turns 30. To qualify for extended coverage, the child would have to be unmarried, have no dependents, be a resident of the Commonwealth or a full-time student in the Commonwealth, and receive no other health insurance benefits.
Longietti said the bill cleared a major hurdle today when it was reported out of committee, bringing Pennsylvania one step closer to implementing policy that could provide health-care access to thousands of residents who don’t have it now.
“I am pleased the Insurance Committee supported my proposal and I am eager to continue the debate when the bill hits the House floor for consideration,” Longietti said. “Today, it is taking young people longer to achieve their educational and professional goals. Many are seeking multiple higher education degrees, whether it is an associate or bachelor's degree, or an accelerated master’s degree or doctorate. We shouldn’t discourage them from seeking additional training and education, or force them to leave school and get a job simply because they cannot afford the high cost of finding their own health-care insurance.”
Longietti said the bill would also dictate that employers incur no additional expense. Any increase in the premium for extended coverage would be paid by the parent and not passed on to the employers.
“This bill will provide peace of mind for those young adults who may be worried that they will run out of time under their parent’s insurance plan,” Longietti said. “Since the buck will not be passed on to the employer or the insurance companies, and parents would be making the choice to put their kids on their current plan, I believe this measure is a win-win proposal. And I am glad my colleagues on the Insurance Committee agree.”
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Attention Radio News Directors: an actuality from Rep. Longietti is available by calling 1-800-452-3001. Enter PA7 (7-2-7) and the pound sign (#) at the menu prompt to get today’s sound. You can also download the sound in .mp3 format by visiting www.pahouse.com/mediacenter.