
Local community leaders are kicking off Cover the Uninsured week. The effort aims to focus on children who still do not have health insurance in our area. The Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association along with Saint Vincent Health Center are calling upon Pennsylvania’s members of congress to support the re-authorization of the federal and state children's health insurance program other wise know as CHIP. Governor Ed Rendell has expanded the CHIP program in Pennsylvania with the newly introduced cover all kids program. Under the program all uninsured children and teens in Pennsylvania, who are not eligible for medical assistance, will have access to affordable, comprehensive health-care coverage. In 2006, more than 18-hundred cases have been qualified at Saint Vincent. That's an increase of more than 700-cases over the previous year.