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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Thomas Caltagirone |
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House passes Caltagirone medical support bill
HARRISBURG, April 1 – The House this week passed legislation authored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, that would enhance the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement Program by requiring that either or both of the parents in custody cases provide health insurance for their child.
"We’ve seen cases where after child support payments are determined, parents bicker over who will pay for doctor visits and medicine," Caltagirone said. "The issue is left unresolved, leaving the children without any coverage or care. My bill would put a stop to any inaction by holding parents accountable for providing health insurance."
Caltagirone said the bill (H.B. 2252) would put Pennsylvania in compliance with a federal law and position the state to better assist child support cases involving Pennsylvania’s low-income families.
Under the bill, a $25 annual fee would be required for medical support but the state would cover the fee when parents have never received medical assistance through Social Security or have paid $500 in support over the course of a year.
The measure now goes to the Senate for approval.
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