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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Chelsa Wagner |
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Wagner supporting expanded health care in Pa.
HARRISBURG, March 12 – State Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Allegheny, is advocating legislation being debated in the state House that would provide affordable health insurance to about 7,600 adults in Allegheny County who are on a waiting list for the state's adultBasic program.
The proposal, called Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care, is a comprehensive plan that would help individuals and small businesses access affordable health care. PA ABC would provide access to health coverage for uninsured adults who don't qualify for Medicaid and Medicare. It would also help small businesses provide health benefits to their employees.
"I'm calling on my colleagues to act diligently and pass the Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care legislation so we can ultimately expand access to affordable health coverage for more than 270,000 uninsured working adults," Wagner explained.
PA ABC would take over coverage for current adultBasic enrollees and expand coverage to those on the waiting list. It would also improve coverage to include prescription drugs, behavioral health services, preventive care and chronic disease management.
PA ABC would be available at up to a monthly premium of $50 for uninsured adults earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $42,400 for a family of four. Uninsured adults earning between 200 percent and 300 percent of the poverty level could access PA ABC for about $311 a month.
Small employers could provide coverage to their workers through PA ABC. If an employer already provides comparable coverage, PA ABC would provide state grants to help continue covering their workers.
Wagner expects the House could vote on the proposal as early as next week.
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