A Bold Step Forward for Kids as PA General Assembly Passes CHIP Expansion Legislation

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC) applauds the Pennsylvania General Assembly for passing “Cover All Kids,” the CHIP expansion legislation. There are approximately 133,000 children in Pennsylvania without health insurance coverage.

The new bill affirms that Pennsylvania’s youngest residents will have access to either free or reduced-cost health insurance through CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“This is a momentous day for children in Pennsylvania,” said Joan Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. “Passage of ‘Cover All Kids’ is a testament to the good that can be done when we come together and put partisan politics aside for the benefit of our most vulnerable populations.”

Children who are insured are more likely to see a primary care physician for common childhood ailments, are less likely to use costly emergency room services, and are healthier, thus missing school less often than their uninsured peers. Because insured kids have greater school attendance, they are more likely to do better in school. The effects of health insurance coverage are far-reaching.

“This is a significant step forward for the health and well-being of children in Pennsylvania,” Benso said.

Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services