E-advocacy for November 2017 – Extend Funding for CHIP
9 million children get health insurance through the Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Congress just let it expire. Tell Congress to restore the program so that kids from low-income families can receive the medical care that they need.
CHIP, created in 1977 with bipartisan support, has played a pivotal role in reducing the percentage of uninsured children in the United States. It was funded primarily by the federal government, allowing states to contribute a much smaller portion toward Medicaid for children.
However, amid the drama of recent attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, as of September 30, 2017, the legislation authorizing the program expired. In other words, 9 million children are now at risk of losing their health care because of Congress’ ridiculous and destructive crusade against health insurance.
If the federal government does not restore the program, states will no longer be able to cover low-income families’ children’s health needs and services such as routine checkups, immunizations, sick visits, medication, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, emergency services, lab work, x-rays, and dental visits. According to this study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, most states will run out of CHIP funding within the next six months.
Access to medical care should be a basic right for all children – not a privilege for children whose parents can afford health insurance premiums. Click here to urge Congress to act quickly to reauthorize CHIP. Let’s end this ridiculous war on health care – starting with the children.
