In her post on Feb 10, Dr Shae Anderson reminded us that federal funding for CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) will soon expire in September 2015. In order to voice its continued support of CHIP and to call for providers to advocate to their legislators, the AAP recently released a revised policy statement on the program in March.

For the AAP policy statement, click here: “Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Accomplishments, Challenges, and Policy Recommendations.

Since its inception in1997, CHIP has provided health coverage to nearly 8 million children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private health coverage. Together, CHIP and Medicaid provide insurance to 58% of children in America. While there is no great numbers, it is estimated that millions of low-income children could lose health insurance without CHIP.

This week, the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF) released a report that explores the consequences of Arizona’s decision to phase out their CHIP program.  While it is still too early to fully assess the impact on children’s coverage or utilization of health care services, the anticipated implication for low-income families can be unsettling.

To see the report, click here: Dismantling CHIP in Arizona.

So let’s make funding CHIP a top priority in 2015!

To tell Congress to save CHIP, click here.

Danielle Chu, MD