FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Amy L. Beisel, APR
April 23, 2007 717-238-9613
abeisel@pacatholic.org
PENNSYLVANIA CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION:
HEALTHCARE FOR OUR CHILDREN IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE
HARRISBURG (April 23, 2007) – The Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA) is marking Cover the Uninsured Week (April 23 – 29, 2007) with a reminder that although Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers 154,000 children across the Commonwealth, more needs to be done to ensure the remaining 133,000 kids without health coverage will be protected. Catholic leaders are calling upon Pennsylvania’s members of Congress to support the reauthorization of the federal State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
“As a health care advocate, I know that insurance coverage is essential for families to get appropriate and necessary health care for their children,” said Sister Clare Christi Schiefer, OSF, President of PCHA. “The impact is plain and simple – having insurance improves health outcomes of children.”
Advocates say children who have health insurance generally have a relationship with a primary care physician; and, families with coverage are less likely to use costly emergency room services for common childhood ailments. Health coverage is strongly linked to academic success as well.
“The success of CHIP in Pennsylvania, and similar programs nationwide, depends on a strong state and federal partnership. The federal SCHIP provides the framework and the resources for this partnership. If federal funding fails to keep pace with great efforts made by states to enroll children and expand coverage, and the cost of health care continues to rise, states have difficult decisions to make – pick up more of the costs or cut back on their programs. Covering uninsured children will take a sustained financial commitment by our leaders in Washington.
“Our children deserve to lead healthy, successful lives. We cannot give up on the progress we have made for children’s health insurance. By acting now, Congress can ensure that all our nation’s children receive the health care they need,” added Schiefer.
Currently, federal funds represent 68 cents of every $1 spent on CHIP coverage in Pennsylvania. Enacted in 1997, SCHIP is scheduled for reauthorization by Congress this year.
From April 23-29, 2007, national, state and local organizations will mark Cover the Uninsured Week with a variety of non partisan activities and events to raise awareness about this critical problem. To find out what is happening visit www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org.”
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