Congress: 9 Million Children Are Counting On You To Extend CHIP
Today, we call on Congress to maintain its commitment to existing public health programs who’s funding expired on September 30 – Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and Maternal, Infant, and Child Home Visitation (MICHV). Together, these programs ensure children, pregnant women, and their families can access the health services and supports they need to be healthy. Specifically, CHIP provides health insurance for 9 million children nationwide and about 370,000 pregnant women.
We are encouraged by bipartisan action in both the Senate and the House to reauthorize CHIP—and we urge Congress to quickly pass legislation that maintains our nation’s commitment to a robust public health system. However, we strongly oppose any effort that cuts funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, limits access to Medicaid, or jeopardizes young children and their families’ access to the health services they need to thrive.
Congress must make the health and wellbeing of young children and their families a priority. To do this, it must extend funding for CHIP and maintain important investments in all other public health programs that serve these vulnerable populations.