PA Expands Landmark CHIP Program to "Cover All Kids"

By Senator Michael A. O'Pake (D-Berks)
Senate Democratic Whip

          Harrisburg, March 16, 2007 -- If your children still lack health insurance, now – more than ever – is the time to check out Pennsylvania’s newly expanded “Cover all Kids” Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
          With the federal government’s recent approval of Pennsylvania’s new program and higher income eligibility limits in place, many more Pennsylvania children now qualify for free CHIP coverage while others are eligible for reduced-cost or below-market “at cost” coverage.
          Free health insurance is available to children from families whose household income is up to 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines – guidelines that were just adjusted upward by over 3 percent for 2007.
          Based on the higher income limits, for example, children and teens (from birth to age 19) from a family of four with a household income of up to $41,300 now qualify for free CHIP coverage – comprehensive and quality coverage that includes doctors’ visits, specialist visits, hospital care, immunizations, prescription drugs, vision, dental, and, if needed, mental health and substance abuse services.
          Subsidized, low-cost CHIP coverage is available to children from families earning between 200% and 300% of federal poverty guidelines (up to $61,950 for a family of four) with monthly premiums, depending on family income, averaging from $38 per child to $60 per child.
          In addition, below-market, “at cost” CHIP coverage – with a monthly premium averaging $150 per child -- is available to uninsured children from families earning more than 300% of federal poverty guidelines if private coverage costs more than 10 percent of a family’s income or private coverage was denied because of a pre-existing condition.
          First enacted 15 years ago under the administration of the late Governor Robert P. Casey, Pennsylvania’s non-Welfare Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) became a model for the nation and was enacted as part of federal law during the administration of former President Bill Clinton.
          Aimed at providing health care to children from families earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance, Pennsylvania’s initial CHIP bill (HB 20 of 1991) – after passing the Democratic-controlled state House and sitting idle in a Republican-run Senate committee for nearly a year – was the first bill passed when Democrats briefly gained control of the Pennsylvania Senate in the fall of 1992.  It was signed into law by Governor Casey as Act 113 on December 2, 1992.
          Because of our action 15 years ago, literally hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania children have received the kind of quality health care they deserve – health care they otherwise would not have received.
          Now, under the administration of Governor Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania is again at the forefront of our nation in expanding our landmark CHIP program to “Cover All Kids.”
          More information is available by contacting my district office at 610-929-2151, visiting the CHIP Health Insurance link on my website at www.senator-opake.com, or calling the CHIP hotline toll-free at 1-800-986-KIDS (5437).
          All of Pennsylvania’s children deserve a healthy start in life.  Now, more than ever, Pennsylvania’s CHIP program is delivering on that objective. 

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