Springfield, Pa. – The HealthplexÒ Sports Club, part of the Crozer-Keystone Health System, hosted dozens of people dedicated to helping children obtain health insurance at a celebration to mark “Cover the Uninsured Week” (April 23-29) on April 27.
Hosted by WPVI-TV 6ABC HealthCheck reporter Anita Brikman, the event celebrated the strong public response to the expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to all uninsured children, record-breaking enrollments and the community partners who helped make these successes possible. The event was presented by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department in partnership with the Insuring Delaware County’s Children, Today coalition.
The event included remarks by George Hoover, Pennsylvania’s deputy insurance commissioner; Gerald Miller, former president and chief executive officer of Crozer-Keystone Health System; Tracy Pawelski, director of Public Relations for Giant Food Stores; and Sabri Ibrahim, pharmacy development manager for Rite-Aid. Attendees also viewed television commercials and spots that are being used to promote CHIP. Conor O’Brien of Bala Cynwyd, young star of a CHIP commercial produced by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, also made a surprise appearance.
During “Cover the Uninsured Week,” Governor Edward G. Rendell and members of his cabinet and staff traveled across the state to talk with groups – ranging from business and community leaders to health care advocates – about Pennsylvania’s opportunity to make history by providing access to health coverage to all Pennsylvanians. Governor Rendell’s “Cover All Kids” initiative was adopted in 2006, making health coverage available to all uninsured children through CHIP.
Insuring Delaware County’s Children, Today is a countywide coalition dedicated to developing opportunities and events to expand outreach and education and to increase enrollment in CHIP. The coalition is comprised of volunteers from the following organizations: Crozer-Keystone Health System, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Delaware County Government, Delaware County Medical Society, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Riddle Memorial Hospital, Delaware County Intermediate Unit, Ches Penn Health Services, Independence Blue Cross, Aetna, AmeriChoice, and other social service agencies and concerned citizens.
More information about the CHIP program can be found by calling 1-800-986-KIDS or by visiting www.chipcoverspakids.com.