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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Tony DeLuca |
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House Insurance Committee approves bill to extend kids' health coverage
HARRISBURG, Jan. 7 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, said the House Insurance Committee today approved legislation that would remove the current expiration date at the end of this year on Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
DeLuca, who chairs the committee, said the legislation (H.B. 2185) said the program insures close to 200,000 Pennsylvania children, many at no cost and others at a reasonable price.
"It is imperative that we do away with the sunset provision to make sure this program is always here for the children of working families of Pennsylvania," DeLuca said.
DeLuca said his legislation would allow the state to continue to draw down federal funding for the program.
In other committee news, members approved two additional bills:
· A bill DeLuca introduced (H.B. 2041) that would establish standards for tow truck operators and would protect consumers from unscrupulous tow truck operators.
· A bill (H.B. 1251) introduced by state Rep. Dom Costa, D-Allegheny, that would assist senior citizens with long-term insurance complaints.
DeLuca said he is hopeful the legislation will be considered by the House soon.
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