|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Todd Eachus |
|
Eachus plan to improve access to health care receives committee approval
HARRISBURG, June 3 – Members of the state House Insurance Committee today approved legislation introduced by House Majority Leader Todd A. Eachus, D-Luzerne, which would expand and improve access to affordable, quality health care in Pennsylvania.
The measure (H.B. 1) would expand the state's adultBasic program to cover more than 130,000 people statewide.
"This legislation is a critical piece of the health-care reform puzzle," Eachus said. "It is a common-sense approach to fixing the crisis facing hundreds of thousands of citizens all across the Commonwealth by expanding access to coverage and improving the quality of health care."
Currently, the state's adultBasic program provides coverage for 46,000 Pennsylvanians between the ages of 18 and 65. Eachus said his legislation would build upon the existing adultBasic program and provide access to care for an additional 86,000 people in need.
"Expanding the number of people covered by adultBasic will have a significant positive effect on the overall costs of health care in Pennsylvania," Eachus said. "We can cut down on the instances of expensive hospital visits and other uncompensated care that drive up the costs of coverage for all health care consumers."
Eachus said H.B. 1 also adds vital benefits to the current adultBasic program,
including prescription medications, chronic disease management, preventive and
wellness care, and behavioral health care.
"By adding these benefits, we will be able to draw down federal dollars and have Washington kick in 54 percent of the costs to insure working adults," he said. "With a budget deficit looming at $3.2 billion, it would be fiscally irresponsible to leave that money on the table."
Eachus said the legislation will now go before the state House Rules Committee.
"I am pleased the House Insurance Committee has advanced this important piece of legislation, and it is my strong belief that we can bring this before the members of the House soon for a full vote," Eachus said. "It's an innovative proposal that will help thousands of working Pennsylvanians gain access to basic care. To me, that's a cause worth supporting."
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.
|
|
###wt/2009/bfg