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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Lisa Bennington |
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House passes plan to provide coverage to uninsured Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG, March 18 – Legislation that would provide health insurance coverage to individuals currently on a state waiting list for low-cost insurance passed the state House Monday, according to state Rep. Lisa Bennington, D-Allegheny.
The Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care program would offer subsidized and low-cost health insurance to more than 272,000 Pennsylvanians who are currently uninsured. This legislation also would allow small businesses to provide coverage to their employees through the state, and would enhance the state's current adultBasic program by providing coverage for prescriptions, behavioral health care, preventive care and chronic disease management.
"For individuals and families living without health insurance but going to work every day, this program could be a huge boost for them," Bennington said. "The fear of not being able to pay medical bills if you are ill is a burden that no Pennsylvanian should have to bear. In the long run, the cost of health care can be greatly reduced across the board since people will have the access to preventative health care and general practitioners, rather than using emergency rooms to be seen. The cost of uncompensated care for hospitals is about $1.4 billion per year and adds hundreds of dollars to every insurance premium."
Under PA ABC, uninsured Pennsylvanians earning about $32,000 a year or less for a family of four – about 150 percent of the poverty level -- would have fully subsidized coverage under the plan. Uninsured Pennsylvanians earning between 150 percent and 200 percent of the poverty level could access coverage for a monthly premium of $40 or $50, depending on income. For those earning up to 300 percent of the poverty level, PA ABC would be available at the state's cost which is about $311 a month. The program would also act as an insurer of last resort for those higher income individuals who are excluded from private health programs.
Bennington said the plan would also benefit Pennsylvania's small businesses that are already providing health insurance to their workers. The businesses would be eligible for state grants to help them continue that coverage. Bennington said, “If our small businesses can grow their payrolls, we can grow our economy.”
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