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Pennsylvania Governor Announces Another Record Growth Month for Expanded CHIP Program |
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From PR Newswire: Health: Under the "Cover All Kids" expansion of the program, CHIP now covers all uninsured children and teens for free or at low-cost. June is the second full month in which families have been able to enroll in the expanded program. "More than 1,300 of the 2,528 new enrollees in June would not have been eligible for CHIP prior to the expansion," Governor Rendell said. "Beyond demonstrating a clear need for Pennsylvania families to have access to quality health coverage, this also is a reminder of why we need action on my Prescription for Pennsylvania plan -- so we can offer that same kind of coverage to uninsured adults." The Department of Insurance reported CHIP enrollments for June totaling 161,402 children, which is a 1.6-percent increase since May and a 12.5-percent increase since June 2006. "The federally funded State Children's Health Insurance Program, S-CHIP, will expire Sept. 30, and the president's budget proposal reauthorizing the program falls billions short of what is needed to continue at current service levels." CHIP offers affordable, comprehensive health care coverage to any uninsured child and teen not eligible for, or enrolled in, Medical Assistance. It offers coverage for services, including doctor visits, prescription drugs, dental and eye care, as well as immunizations, hospitalization and emergency care. CHIP premiums are affordable because they're based on household income. Average monthly premiums for low-cost CHIP could range between $38 and $60 per month, per child. Families with higher incomes who qualify for at-cost CHIP will pay approximately $150 per month, per child.
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