More than 1,000 children enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program across the four-county region could be uninsured next year as Congress has yet to re-authorize the program.
CHIP is in the hands of the U.S. Senate, and Steve Kelly, press secretary for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, said that no one is anticipating deficits or delays in CHIP funding for Pennsylvania or elsewhere in the United States.
He said a bill re-authorizing CHIP was approved by the Senate Finance Committee in November, but has yet to be approved by the full Senate. Last month, the House passed the CHIP re-authorization.
CHIP serves uninsured children as old as 19 in families whose incomes are too high to qualify them for Medicaid. The insurance provides coverage for routine doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, eye care and more, including immunizations, dental, vision, hearing services, emergency care, mental health benefits, hospitalization, home health care and autism spectrum disorder and related services.
The insurance program in Pennsylvania would continue without disruption into the first quarter, said Rachel Kostelac, spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services.
“The non-partisan Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission and the Wolf Administration have confirmed that Pennsylvania’s CHIP funding is available through February,” Kelly said.
The program costs about $500 million a year in Pennsylvania and almost 90 percent of funding comes from the federal government, Trib Live reported.
“We would notify families at least 30 days before the date the program terminates for lack of funding,” Kostelac said. “The department urges Congress to re-authorize CHIP so that 180,000 Pennsylvania children can continue to receive health insurance.”
The state Department of Human Services reports that, as of November, there are 459 children in McKean County enrolled in the program; 373, Elk County; 195, Potter County; and 47, Cameron County. From October to November, McKean County’s CHIP enrollees increased by 12 individuals; Elk County increased by nine individuals; and Cameron County increased by seven individuals, while Potter County saw a decrease of three individuals, according to information on the state’s website.
Overall, 178,707 people are enrolled in CHIP across Pennsylvania, state officials say.
“CHIP’s roots are in Pennsylvania and I have been a strong supporter in reauthorizing the program to care for all of the Commonwealth’s children regardless of their family’s circumstances,” U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson told The Era. “I worked to ensure the House passed the measure earlier this fall and I know the Senate is working toward the same goal. More than 176,000 children in the Commonwealth receive comprehensive health coverage through CHIP. Congress must make certain that coverage remains intact.”
