CHIP Funding Morass: How Did Something Everyone Seems To Agree On Get To This Point?
The CHIP program has always enjoyed widespread bipartisan support, but Congress has dawdled over renewing its funding for the past three months as states slowly run out of money.
Politico:
Health Program For 9 Million Kids Falls Victim To Partisan Squabbling
Everyone in Congress claims to be a champion of children’s health.But funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program ran out Sept. 30. And some lawmakers worry it might not be replenished until early next year. It’s a mess that can happen only in Washington: Even a bipartisan program that covers 9 million poor and middle-class children is caught up in partisan squabbling, with Republicans and Democrats split over how to pay for renewed funding and placing blame on the other party. (Haberkorn, 12/15)
The New York Times:
Millions Of Children Could Lose Health Coverage Starting Next Month
Lawmakers have yet to renew federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, which insures nearly nine million children in low-income families. Most states will run out of money in the next few months if Congress does not act. (Park, 12/14)