FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. John Yudichak D-Luzerne www.pahouse.com/Yudichak

Yudichak votes to extend insurance coverage

to thousands of uninsured Pa. adults

HARRISBURG, June 29 – The House today passed legislation (H.B. 1) co-sponsored by state Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne, that would expand access and improve Pennsylvania's adultBasic health insurance program.  

"More than 14,000 adults between the ages of 19 and 64 in Luzerne County have no health insurance. Many of them are working, but either health care isn't offered by their employer, or the cost is too high for them to participate," Yudichak said. "This is an issue that must be addressed."

Yudichak noted that H.B. 1 would not only increase the number of adultBasic enrollees, but would also add fundamental benefits including prescription medications, chronic disease management, preventative and wellness care, and behavioral health care.

By adding prescription drug and behavioral health coverage, H.B. 1 would not only make adultBasic more cost-effective in managing disease and illness, but it would ensure the program qualifies for federal funding to the tune of 54 cents on the dollar.

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;

· not have insurance nor 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 and now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

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