In the statement, Brian Gallagher said, "As bad as the deficit implications are in this bill, the threshold for United Way is the harm the bill will do to private charities. The elimination of the charitable deduction for 31 million middle and upper-middle income taxpayers causes such damage to our ability to help people, we have no choice but to oppose the bill." 

U.S. President Mary B. Sellers added, "The charitable sector proposed a straight-forward, cost-effective fix that would have actually increased future charitable giving. We were making our case on behalf of millions of low-income Americans who rely on our help, but who have no voice on Capitol Hill. But our efforts were largely dismissed and it looks like Congress disregarded evidence that was counter to the tax policy narrative." 

While tax reform is the main focus for Congress, there are also other top United Way priorities that have yet to be resolved.  One such priority is the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which officially expired on September 30.  Currently, there is bipartisan support to reauthorize the program for a 5-year period, but there is an unwillingness on behalf of Congress to do so prior to a final spending plan being agreed to.  For Pennsylvania, that means there are approximately 180,000 children who will lose health insurance, should CHIP not be reauthorized.  PA's Department of Human Services acting Secretary, Teresa Miller, noted there should be enough funding for the program to carry Pennsylvania through March, however there is no guarantee.  United Way Worldwide, as well as United Way of Pennsylvania, is actively engaging in the CHIP discussions and monitoring any progress.  UWP sent a sign-on letter, with over 80 signatures, to both House and Senate leadership encouraging their support to reauthorize CHIP prior states running out of funding.  Please help us in fighting for the health of every child in every community by taking action to encourage the reauthorization of CHIP.