Costello for kids

Last month I had the honor of meeting with U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello in Washington at a time when millions of Americans were fearful that health care coverage for their children, parents and themselves would be decimated by plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

Although the American Health Care Act (AHCA) did pass out of the House (it was renamed in the Senate and efforts to pass it in that chamber have so far proved unsuccessful), Rep. Costello demonstrated his commitment to improving public policies and support for investments that benefit the commonwealth’s children by opposing the bill.

Health care coverage for kids – 1.2 million of whom are enrolled in Medicaid in Pennsylvania – was on the line but Rep. Costello stood strong.

For 25 years my organization has been working with state and federal policymakers to make Pennsylvania one of the top states to be a child and to raise a child.

Rep. Costello understands how his decisions can impact a child’s life and I was proud to personally present to him Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children’s 2017 Champions for Children award in honor of his support for children.

The mutual respect and trust we share with Rep. Costello is invaluable to PPC and we appreciate the open lines of communication and the opportunity to set politics aside and work in a bipartisan fashion to come together for our most vulnerable citizens.

Preserving health care coverage for children in this congressional session has been a victory to date, and by voting “no” on the AHCA, Rep. Costello showed he is a true champion for children. Joan Benso, President and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships

for Children