HARRISBURG, January 24, 2011 – – Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus joined House Democrats in the Capitol Rotunda today to stress the urgency of extending the state’s adultBasic health care program.

The adultBasic program currently provides benefits to more than 40,000 low-income, working Pennsylvanians.   These individuals will lose their insurance and access to quality health care at the end of February if a new funding source is not implemented.

AdultBasic was created by the legislature in 2001 with funding received through the National Tobacco Settlement Agreement.  The program provides coverage for the basic health care needs of individuals between 19 and 64 years of age who do not have health insurance and meet certain eligibility and income requirements.