Bob Gatty
Sep 22, 20171 min
A few weeks ago the renewal of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) appeared to be sailing through the Senate, but then the latest effort to repeal and replace Obamacare got in the way and now kids in at least 10 states are in danger of losing their coverage at the end of September.
According to a report in Congressional Quarterly, many states -- including those whose funds are expected to last until spring -- are sending notices to parents warning that coverage for their children could disappear. By March, 32 states are expected to be out of CHIP money and all states will face that situation during FY 2018.
Congress set the funding deadline two years ago, so it's not like it's a big surprise, but providing health care benefits for kids clearly is pretty low on the GOP's totem pole. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage to eligible children, through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. CHIP is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government.
So the program was created to help kids from poor families. Why would that be a priority of this Republican-controlled Congress and this President? Clearly, it is not.