HARRISBURG, Aug. 20, 2013 – As more Pennsylvania children continue to drop from the rolls of the state’s landmark Children’s Health Insurance Program, a unified Senate Democratic Caucus urged the governor today to take immediate action to correct the problem.
The caucus – led by Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vince Hughes and Sens. Mike Stack and Shirley Kitchen – said the state should streamline CHIP’s renewal process by: starting “presumptive eligibility,” requiring the state’s CHIP program to interface with the free- and reduced-school lunch databases, and better promoting the program, among other recommendations.
“According to the monthly enrollment data produced by the Insurance Department, there was a decrease in CHIP enrollment of 7,726 children from July 2011 to July 2013,” the caucus’ letter to the governor said. “The largest loss of enrollment is in the free CHIP program.”
Additionally, as CHIP enrollment has dropped, the caucus said more than 98,000 children lost coverage through the Medical Assistance program between August 2011 and this past November.
The caucus said it believes CHIP enrollment is dropping due to administrative changes and the failure by the Insurance Department to employ best practices in its operation.
“What’s happening with CHIP in Pennsylvania means more working moms and dads are being forced to make tough choices with their budgets,” said Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). “No one should have to decide whether their paycheck will buy food, prescription medicine or the mortgage. But that seems to be what is happening more and more under this administration.”
“The drop in numbers should be a warning siren all by itself that changes are not working and corrective steps need to happen because our children are losing the care they need,” said Sen. Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia). “I urge Gov. Corbett to make the changes we are suggesting. They should be quick and easy to do. Our working families should not have to wait any longer.”
In addition to starting “presumptive eligibility” and the other suggestions mentioned, the caucus said the Corbett administration should:
- Make health insurance screening/referral processes a part of school registration.
- Include a check-off box for insurance on the CHIP Really flyer that is sent to parents at beginning of each school year. Parents would sign and return the form each year.
- Change renewal notices to 90 and 45 days (currently, 90 and 60 days).
- Use a joint application and renewal form for Medicaid and CHIP.
“Doing these simple things will ensure that working families who can’t afford to pay for health insurance themselves will be able to provide health insurance to their children,” said Sen. Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia). “Other states have adopted many of these best practices. It’s time for Pennsylvania to make these improvements and ensure that each eligible child gets CHIP coverage.”
The caucus said it hopes the governor will accept the proposed changes in the spirit of bipartisanship and added it is ready to work with the administration to improve CHIP, which was started in 1992 by Gov. Robert P. Casey and quickly became a model that other states and the federal government followed.
“Children are our most valuable resources,” Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia) said. “They are not a way to balance a budget or ever be used to gain an advantage or prove a point. Our children – and their working parents – need help. Let’s help them now.”
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Harrisburg, August 13, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today issued a statement disputing the Corbett administration contention that state funding earmarked for the Philadelphia School District was contingent on additional concessions from the city or organized labor.
Costa and other Senate Democrats participated in discussions in June with the governor’s senior aides — prior to the adoption of the state budget or Fiscal Code – concerning the $45 million state grant for the city. Philadelphia school officials have maintained that without the additional state funds the school district will not be able to open for the upcoming year.
“In the context of our discussions with the governor’s top aides there were no additional labor concessions discussed regarding the state grant.
“The fact is the district has already started implementing a wide array of significant fiscal, operational and education reforms pursuant to Act 71. These include labor contributions, transportation efficiencies and other important changes that will help address the district’s funding crisis.
“Act 71 refers to the type of systemic reform that the district has now put in motion not the imposition of contractual changes that have not been agreed to during the collective bargaining process.
“The Corbett administration needs to honor the commitment that it made and release the grant funding.”
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Harrisburg – July 29, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement concerning the death of former Pennsylvania Gov. William Scranton. Gov. Scranton died Sunday in California.
Scranton, who was elected as Governor of Pennsylvania in 1962, also served in the U.S. House of Representatives, as United States ambassador to the United Nations, and various high level national boards, commissions and missions during his public life.
“Pennsylvania has been blessed with many governors of outstanding ability and skill and, although his government service ended many years ago, I believe Governor Scranton was one of our most effective executives. His record of public service as governor and in various capacities on the national level is impressive. He serves as a role model for others who aspire to a life of public service.
“Pennsylvania – and our nation – is a better place because of Governor Scranton and his good works. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Scranton family today as they mourn the loss of the former governor.”
Harrisburg – July 15, 2013 – More than $1.1 million in state tax credits that will help finance a multi-phased development in Homestead have been approved by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today.
“This is excellent news and I am pleased that the Homestead project was able to compete and gain support from PHFA,” Costa said. “The PHFA tax credits will leverage more than $10 million in private investment and help complete the financing for the $13 million project.”
According to Costa, the ONE Homestead project includes townhomes on Amity Street between 9th, 10th and 11th Avenues; the redevelopment of the old post office at the corner of Amity Street and 9th Avenue into loft apartments; and, a 30 unit apartment building along 8th Avenue.
“The revitalization of the corridor along 8th Avenue and the surrounding area will help attract even more redevelopment and jobs,” Costa said.
The state Department of Community and Economic Development is contributing $500,000 to help with the financing while Allegheny County is providing an additional $1.7 million. The project will add 51 housing units.
“The project brings new affordable housing to the community and will generate pedestrian activity and business opportunity,” Costa said.
Costa noted that the new development is very accessible to other local attractions including the Waterfront, Carnegie Library, Propel Charter School, Barrett Elementary and public transportation.
“This is a unique location and an important project that will spur even greater interest in the area for businesses, residents and new development,” Costa said.
Costa, who serves as Senate Democratic Leader, said that the ONE Homestead project is a part of a coordinated community revitalization effort involving Allegheny County and the Borough of Homestead.
PHFA tax credits are used to access private dollars to help fund public housing projects. The innovative financing enables state tax credits to be multiplied so that larger projects can be completed.
The new initiative in Homestead involves the development of 67,400 square feet.
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Harrisburg – June 30, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement after the Senate passed Medicaid expansion language as a part of the Welfare Code legislation:
“The expansion of Medicaid is a win for Pennsylvania. It is responsible, meaningful and good public policy. The expansion will improve the lives of so many who need help. It will permit more than a half a million Pennsylvania citizens to gain access to health care.
“Medicaid expansion makes fiscal sense. It is fully paid for by the federal government for the first three years and it will generate significant budget savings for Pennsylvania. The expansion will save an estimated $150 million the first year and create significant additional savings in years to come.
“The expansion of the program has been a priority for Senate Democrats for many months. Senate Democrats traveled the state to learn how the program expansion will help citizens from all walks of life. We recognized its value and worked with Senate Republicans to craft language that was acceptable.
“I am very pleased that the language was approved with bi-partisan support and I am hopeful that the House will endorse the plan.”
According to independent estimates Medicaid expansion will create 35,000 to 40,000 jobs and inject $4 billion into our economy and will provide an important economic boost.
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