Allies for Children builds alliances and serves as a bold voice for policy and practice changes meant to improve the well-being of all children and youths in Allegheny County, especially those with the greatest needs. This nonpartisan nonprofit focuses on improving education and promoting health.
Right now, there are about 9,000 uninsured children and youths in classrooms and childcare centers across Allegheny County. Almost 2,000 of these children live in the City of Pittsburgh. Most qualify for, but are not enrolled in, Medicaid or CHIP. (The Children’s Health Insurance Program is Pennsylvania’s program to provide health insurance to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance.) According to research, these children are five times more likely to have unmet medical concerns. They are three times more likely to lack access to prescription drugs, like asthma inhalers. Uninsured kids are 30 percent less likely to get medical treatment when they’re hurt.
That’s why Allies for Children teamed up with the Office of Mayor William Peduto, the Consumer Health Coalition and the Allegheny County Health Department. Together, the group designed a city-led effort called Healthy Together. The plan looks to connect all children and families in the City of Pittsburgh to high-quality, affordable health care.
In the next 18 months, the City of Pittsburgh and its partners will hold sign-up activities in neighborhoods where children without insurance are most likely to live. Also, change will occur in child-serving institutions. The team will work with Pittsburgh Public Schools to insure students. These outreach efforts will create a net to catch kids not connected to health insurance.
The Healthy Together campaign is an example of local nonprofits and government coming together and serving the needs of children and youths. To learn more, visit https://www.alliesforchildren.org.
Need health insurance coverage for yourself or your children? Contact the Consumer Health Coalition to be connected to high-quality, affordable health care programs.
Consumer Health Coalition
415 East Ohio Street, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Telephone: 412-456-1877
Website: https://www.consumerhealthcoalition.org
E-mail: lbachurfki@ consumerhealthcoalition.org