PCHA 
and the PCC are advocating for passage of House Bill 2299, which amends the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to maximize opportunities for health care insurance coverage of children and simplify and streamline eligibility enrollment and the renewal processes for families.
Once coverage is established, House Bill 2299 would provide for continuous eligibility for 12 months. The bill would also improve CHIP by reducing barriers to enrollment and increase the retention of children eligible for the insurance program. By implementing these changes, Pennsylvania would also be eligible for enhanced federal matching dollars in 2015.
PCHA and PCC have been involved in advocacy efforts for health care coverage of children since 1992, when Pennsylvania created the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Subsequently, that program became a model nationwide. As a result of the federal S-CHIP and Pennsylvania’s efforts to provide health care insurance, approximately 188,000 of the Commonwealth’s children are covered by CHIP.
To continue the progress Pennsylvania has made through state and federal partnerships for children’s health insurance, PCHA and PCC urge support of House Bill 2299. This legislation will increase opportunities for health insurance coverage and ensure that Pennsylvania’s children have access to health care services through this important safety-net program.
