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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Tony DeLuca |
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House Insurance Committee approves bill to expand adultBasic health coverage
HARRISBURG, June 3 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, said the House Insurance Committee today approved legislation that would expand the state's adultBasic program to provide affordable health insurance coverage to an additional 90,000 people between the ages of 18 and 65.
The legislation (H.B. 1) is sponsored by House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne.
DeLuca, chairman of the Insurance Committee, said there are 236,000 people on the adultBasic waiting list for health-care coverage in Pennsylvania. In addition to reducing this waiting list, the bill would add vital benefits to the program, including prescription medications, chronic disease management, preventive and wellness care and behavioral health care.
"With more and more people losing their jobs because of the economy, it is imperative that we pass legislation that would insure more low-income adults. This is a badly needed addition to the safety net," DeLuca said.
In addition, the committee approved legislation (H.B. 746) authored and amended by DeLuca that would provide small business owners with premium rate predictability when they provide health insurance to their employees. The bill would affect business owners who employ 2 to 50 workers.
DeLuca said the bill would also prevent rate spikes for small business owners. Currently, there is no limit on rate increases for businesses that have high claims costs in one particular year.
DeLuca said he is hopeful that both bills will be considered by the full House soon.
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