Pa. Republicans are in the unusual position of criticizing a Democrat for proposed changes to a popular social program.

Following Governor Tom Corbett’s decision to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) last week, the party went after Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Montgomery) for her support of the President’s Affordable Care Act.

“Why is Schwartz killing CHIP?” the PAGOP asked Monday.

The federal health care law will push many the state’s CHIP recipients into Medicaid.

“The bottom line is Allyson Schwartz and Barack Obama broke their promise that patients can keep their doctor, and now we deserve answers on CHIP and what additional troublesome impacts Obamacare will have on everyday Pennsylvanians,” wrote party spokeswoman Valerie Caras.

It’s a charge that hits home for Schwartz. She sponsored legislation for CHIP during her first term as a State Senator in 1992. She frequently cites the program as one of her crowning legislative achievements.

With the ACA now in effect, over 50,000 children who had been covered by CHIP will have to switch to Medicaid coverage instead. It affects children in families between 100-133% of the federal poverty level.

The number of children impacted could go up if the state expands Medicaid to families with higher incomes via the ACA (aka Obamacare).

Corbett tried to lobby U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to use the federal money that would go to Medicaid coverage for CHIP instead. Sibelius has thus far rejected his proposal.

Schwartz’s campaign says she, too, wants to see CHIP incorporated into the ACA.

“She supports making sure that Pennsylvania children enrolled in the CHIP program can keep the same doctor and continue to have access to affordable, quality health care,” said spokesman Mark Bergman.

“In fact, six months ago, she called on the Obama Administration to not only eliminate waiting periods but to ensure that CHIP works with the ACA,” he said, referencing a letter Schwartz wrote to HHS.

Bergman said the GOP’s criticism was actually a compliment. Referring to Corbett’s argument in favor of keeping CHIP he said, “According to Governor Corbett, Allyson’s program became a model for the nation and one of the of the successful programs in Pennsylvania history. We couldn’t agree more.”

The situation is complicated from a political standpoint, and there are also questions of what is actually best for Pennsylvania’s children.

Governor Corbett believes that children who are forced to move from CHIP to Medicaid will consequently receive worse coverage. Some children may have to switch doctors, and there are concerns that Medicaid patients receive unequal treatment, although that claim has been questioned.

Obamacare proponents contend that Medicaid expansion will lower costs both for individuals and the state. Furthermore, switching children over to Medicaid could be less complicated as they will be on the same plan as their parents.

Ultimately, the spat underscores the political deftness of Corbett’s “Healthy PA” plan, which was an alternative to the Medicaid expansion prescribed by Obamacare.

Gov. Corbett says he will expand a popular program, and leaves it up to President Obama’s administration whether to agree to his terms.

Keegan Gibson contributed to this report.