CHIP: Helping children get health care
The Children’s Health Insurance Program is a key program that covers 8.9 million children across the country. CHIP must be reauthorized by Congress before September 30, 2017 for the program to continue.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program was enacted into law in 1997. CHIP is a key program that covers 8.9 million children across the country. Through a federal matching program to states, CHIP covers children whose families make too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to afford coverage. Almost half the children in our country are covered through CHIP and Medicaid.
We often describe these low-income families as the working poor because they often work at lower wages with employers who do not provide health care. The good news is that progress on health care coverage for children has made significant gains. This is largely due to the expansion of CHIP and Medicaid. The uninsured rate with children stands at an all-time low — 5 precent — resulting in healthier outcomes for children.
One of the areas of health care where we find common ground is quality health care for children. As United Methodists, our church position is that “health care is a basic human right.” (Social Principles, ¶162.V)
As people of faith we care for the common good for all people. Our Social Principle goes on to say that everyone should get health care “regardless of ability to pay”. (Social Principles, ¶162.V) This position helps us understand that God wants God’s people to thrive. Jesus helped us understand God’s love for humanity by demonstrating love for people from all walks of life. These biblical lessons help us discern contemporary issues like health care and that it is not a commodity that should be rationed or denied to people with low incomes. People of faith have been on the front lines protecting health care for all for decades. That is why we have essential programs like CHIP.
It is critical that Congress fund CHIP. CHIP must be reauthorized by Congress before September 30, 2017 for the program to continue.
Please contact your member of Congress and let them know how important coverage for children through CHIP is and urge them to reauthorize the program. You can use our website to send an email to your representative and senators.
