FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Bill Kortz D-Allegheny www.pahouse.com/Kortz

House passes bill to expand adultBasic program

HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Allegheny, today voted for a bill (H.B. 1) that would expand access to and improve Pennsylvania's adultBasic health insurance program.

"The passage of this expanded version of adultBasic helps not only more of our uninsured but will help reduce health-care costs across the board," Kortz said. "This is an integral part of the House Democrats' health-care plan to increase accessibility for all Pennsylvanians."

House Bill 1 would expand the adultBasic program, providing health care to more uninsured Pennsylvanians, and add fundamental benefits including prescription medications, chronic disease management, preventative and wellness care, and behavioral health care.

To be eligible for adultBasic coverage under H.B. 1, a person must:

· 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 or 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.

The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

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