The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was passed in August 1997, taking effect the next month. What this program does is give states funds (that they must match) that help to cover children living in low-income households that don’t qualify for Medicaid. It’s undergone expansion, adding protection for a couple million more children thanks to President Obama.
Today, CHIP covers approximately 9 million children from low-income families. These children are at risk of losing their healthcare. See, funding for CHIP ends at the end of this month – so, Saturday. The Senate has refused to discuss renewing funding for CHIP since early this year, focusing on repeal-and-replace efforts instead. Without immediate renewal, over a million of these children would lose insurance and the remaining 8 million would see reduced benefits.
The Senate Finance Committee, led by Ron Wyden and Orrin Hatch, have introduced a bill – S 1827 – that extends funding for another five years. However, the Senate has failed to act on this.
Do what you can today to reach out to your Senators and ask them to discuss this bill NOW.
- Contact your Senators
- Call them at 844-859-3118
- Use ResistBot
- Talk to them on social media
- Fax
- While you’re at it, tell them it’s unfair and illegal to strip the ACA’s funding and consider writing to your House reps on HR 620 and HR 36
- Protest and picket (if able)
- Get loud on social media
- Use tags like #saveCHIP
- Send letters to the editors or reach out to your local news to explain your concerns
Let’s come together to ensure that these children aren’t left behind.