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HARRISBURG - During Cover the Uninsured Week, Pennsylvania 's Children's Health Insurance Program, CHIP, will visit communities across the state to remind families that health coverage is available to all children - regardless of their income.
"Cover the Uninsured Week brings awareness and attention to the growing problem facing our state and nation - and that is the increasing number of adults and children without health insurance," Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario said.
"The Insurance Department administers two programs that consumers can access for help - CHIP, and adultBasic. CHIP is available for children upon application and has no waiting list. Unfortunately, adultBasic has a waiting list for adults that Governor Edward G. Rendell is working to reduce through a health reform package that would use state and federal dollars. In the meantime, the program is available at cost to those on the waiting list."
CHIP will be in communities across the state to raise awareness about the program and to deliver the message of how families can apply for and access coverage through CHIP. Events range from faith-based outreach, sponsored story-time hours in local libraries and educational breakfast meetings with local legislators and community organizations.
"Many parents struggle to afford health insurance for their children, and they live in fear that an injury or illness could cause catastrophic damage to their household budgets. Working with grassroots advocates, churches, educators and health care professionals across the state, we will be able to get the word out in our communities that CHIP is available, it's affordable, and for many families, it's free," Ario said.
"Though our recent statewide survey on the uninsured showed us that cost remains one of the top barriers to having health insurance, there are also cases when consumers may not know all the resources that are available to help them. With the help of our community partners, CHIP has put together an aggressive calendar of statewide events to spread the word on the importance of health care, and to make sure every family knows that there are resources available to assist them in finding health care coverage for their children."
CHIP offers affordable, comprehensive health 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 are based on household income. There is no cost for families who qualify for free CHIP.
More information on CHIP can be found by calling 1-800-986- KIDS or by visiting www.chipcoverspakids.com. Adults can learn more about adultBasic by calling 1-800-GO-BASIC. In addition, existing government resources available to help residents make ends meet during tough economic times is offered at the Governor's new Web site, www.HereToHelp.pa.gov.
Cover the Uninsured Week, March 22 through March 28, is a nationally observed, week-long outreach and education campaign that focuses on the importance of health care.
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EDITOR'S NOTE : The following are events for consumers to learn more about CHIP during Cover the Uninsured Week. (Please note that this list is not inclusive; you should check with local health providers for other events that may be taking place in your community):
Sunday, March 22
Cover the Kids Sunday
Churches will spread awareness of CHIP. Participating churches include:
First Episcopal District Headquarters;
3801 Market St. , Philadelphia
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church ;
2800 W. Cheltenham Ave , Philadelphia
Sharon Baptist Church ;
3955 Conshohocken Ave. , Philadelphia
Mother Bethel AME ;
419 S. 6th St. , Philadelphia
Bethel AME ;
2720 Webster Ave. , Pittsburgh
Monumental AME ;
101 Adams St.
, Steelton
Tuesday, March 24
Swarthmore Borough Library;
121 Park Ave.
, Swarthmore
10 a.m. - Mother Goose on the Loose; 2 p.m. - Pre-School Story Time
Parenting Class
Sponsored by Columbia County Family Centers;
15 Perry Ave.
, Berwick
1 p.m.
Institute for the Development of African American Youth CHIP sign-up sessions
2221 N. Broad St. , Philadelphia
5 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25
Lancaster Public Library;
125 N. Duke St. , Lancaster
10 a.m. to noon (pre-school lap-sit program from 10:30 to 11:30 )
Chocolate Chip Pancake Dinners
Hosted by the Health Federation of Philadelphia ; 1211 Chestnut St. , Philadelphia
Thursday, March 26
Upper Darby Twp. Library - Primos Branch;
409 Ashland Ave.
, Primos
9:15 to 11:30 a.m. (pre-school story time begins at 9:30 )
Columbia Public Library;
24 S. 6th St. , Columbia
6 to 8 p.m. (Arabic tutoring program)
Institute for the Development of African American Youth CHIP sign-up sessions
2221 N. Broad St. , Philadelphia
5 to 7 p.m.
Parenting Class
Sponsored by the Columbia County Family Centers;
14 th Street
Elementary School, Bloomsburg
4:30 p.m.
Kindergarten registration at Easton Elementary School
Hosted by Family Connection of Easton, Inc.; 723 Coal St. , Easton
P.M. Registration Session
Chocolate Chip Pancake Dinners
Hosted by the Health Federation of Philadelphia ; 1211 Chestnut St. , Philadelphia
Friday, March 27
Kittanning Library;
280 N. Jefferson St.
, Kittanning
11 a.m. to noon
Bedford Library;
240 S. Wood St. , Bedford
10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. story time
Cover the Uninsured Week Breakfast hosted by the Consumer Care Coalition
United Way of Allegheny County ;
1250 Penn Ave. , Pittsburgh
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. ; program from 9 to 11 a.m.
Saturday, March 28
Bethlehem Partnership for a Healthy Community
St. Luke's Union Station Plaza ; 240 Union Station Plaza, Bethlehem
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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CHIP Media Relations
For media inquiries, or to share a CHIP success story, please contact Rosanne Placey or Melissa Fox at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department Press Office at ra-in-press@state.pa.us. For questions or issues about your CHIP coverage, or to learn more about the program, please call 1-800-986-KIDS.
