FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Angel Cruz D-Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/cruz

House passes bill to expand adultBasic program

HARRISBURG, June 30 – State Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., this week voted for a bill (H.B. 1) that would expand access to and improve Pennsylvania's adultBasic health insurance program.

"House Bill 1 would benefit thousands of working adults in Philadelphia," Cruz said. "This legislation would give thousands of uninsured Pennsylvanians access to affordable, quality health care and lower insurance costs across the state."

In addition to expanding the program to cover more uninsured adults, H.B. 1 would also add fundamental benefits to adultBasic, 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 would have to:

· earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level;

· be a Pennsylvania resident at the time of application;

· 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.

House Bill 1 now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

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