Childrens’ Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding is due to expire this Saturday. The program has not been extended yet. CHIP covers 8.9 million kids in FY 2016. In 2009/2010, I was out of work and my daughter was on CHIP. It was the best insurance I’ve ever had as the network was broad, the premium after subsidy was very affordable, co-pays minimal and the customer service assistance in navigating the split enrollment process between Medicaid and CHIP was exceptional.
There is a Senate bill (Hatch-Wyden) that will re-authorize CHIP for five years. The big policy change is that it makes the states pay more of the match in years 3, 4 and 5 compared to current law. That bill needs to go through the House and the Senate by the end of the weekend. It needs to go through without any poison pills and extraneous provisions attached to it.
So if you have a minute, call Congress once again. Let’s take care of the kids today.