Governor Rendell: Children’s Health Insurance Program Marks 18 Years of Offering Quality Health Care to Kids

Governor Edward G. Rendell today kicked off the 18th birthday celebration for CHIP, Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (see also Pennsylvania Office of the Governor).

"I am happy to have been able to see CHIP through its teen years as Governor, and now that we cover all kids, I want to be sure that growth continues," Governor Rendell said, addressing the crowd via a video message.

"My thanks to all of you who have made the CHIP program a household word for all those in need of coverage and care. Families do tell me every day that their kids are growing up healthy because of CHIP."

Pennsylvania's CHIP program is one of the nation's most successful children's health insurance programs and currently covers more than 195,000 children. Of those children more than 12,500 would not have been eligible for coverage prior to the 2006 Cover All Kids expansion. Over the program's 18-year history, more than 800,000 children have had access to quality coverage and care through CHIP.

"CHIP is definitely the silver lining in today's volatile health care environment," Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario said. "CHIP premiums are affordable because they're based on household income and there is no cost for families who qualify for free CHIP."

"The program is a winning, public-private partnership with the government creating the benefits package and health insurance companies competing to offer the coverage. CHIP has extensive networks across the state offered by ten health insurance companies. Again, this is a win-win -- no matter how you look at it."

Created under legislation signed in late 1992 by Governor Robert P. Casey, the program served as a model for the federal CHIP program enacted by President Bill Clinton in 1997. In 2006, Governor Rendell expanded the program with his Cover All Kids initiative so that any uninsured child and teen not eligible for, or enrolled in, Medical Assistance, will have access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage.

Today's celebration was held at the Capital BlueCross headquarters in suburban Harrisburg. Capital BlueCross was one of the five original insurance companies for the CHIP program, along with Aetna, formerly known as U.S. Health Care, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Highmark and Independence Blue Cross.

CHIP is now sponsored by the following private insurance companies: Aetna, AmeriChoice, Capital BlueCross, First Priority Health, Geisinger Health Plan, Highmark, Inc., Keystone Health Plan East, KidzPartners, Unison Kids and UMPC for Kids.

For more information on the CHIP program, call 1-800-986-KIDS or visit www.chipcoverspakids.com.