By Keanan Lane

September 2015 continues to draw closer, and with it, the question over whether funding for CHIP will be extended.  As the discussion develops into a wider and more hotly contested debate, it will be important to bring out the evidence on how CHIP has proven effective in providing insurance access to children, and why exchanges may lead to inadequate coverage for kids.

The Kaiser Family Foundation has released a review of research on the impact of Medicaid and CHIP on children.  The research is grouped into categories: Coverage, Benefits and Out-of-Pocket Protection, Access to Care, Outcomes, and Parents’ Views.  The research routinely points to CHIP being an effective program for improving the health and welfare of children, while also achieving meaningful societal gains through higher educational attainment and lower health and educational disparities.

The brief notes that more than 8 million children were covered by CHIP during some point in 2012. Along with Medicaid, this accounts for more than 1 of every 3 U.S. children.  Without CHIP, 2 million of these children may lose affordable coverage through the “family glitch,” while others will likely face weaker benefits and coverage.  Be sure to reference the Kaiser brief for evidence to support the case for extending funding for CHIP.