As we continue to consider the future of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), one question comes up fairly regularly: Where do state officials stand on the issue? Child advocates, of course, are united in their support for continuing CHIP for the foreseeable future to ensure we don’t end up with more uninsured children or children receiving fewer benefits at a higher cost in the still-new marketplaces. (Just yesterday my colleague Joe Touschner blogged about brand new evidence on this front that reinforces what we are learning). But we also know that states could use some stability when planning budgets—who would not want to be able to plan budgets knowing what funds will still be available (not to mention the need for stability while states and the federal government are implementing a historic new law). So it seems logical that states would agree with child advocates that now is not the time to mess with success as they are getting marketplaces and Medicaid expansions (as applicable) up and running.
Do governors agree? That’s what a (rare these days!!) bipartisan, bicameral group of Congressional leaders are interested in finding out. Yesterday, leaders of the House Energy and Commerce and the Senate Finance committees (the two committees with jurisdiction over CHIP) released a letter to governors asking for their input on the federal-state program. In addition to requesting information on topics regarding basic enrollment and demographics, state CHIP changes prompted by the ACA, and benefits and cost sharing, the final question asks point blank:
Do you recommend that CHIP funding be extended? If so, for how long, and for budgeting and planning purposes, under what timeframe should Congress act upon an extension? If you do not believe CHIP funding should be extended, what coverage (if any) do you believe CHIP enrollees in your state would be able to obtain? How many children covered by CHIP do you estimate would become uninsured in the absence of CHIP?
It’s an exciting and positive sign to see Congressional leaders come together to consider the role of this important program. Now that states have been asked to weigh in, state child advocates have an important and urgent opportunity to ensure their governors and agency leaders understand the full impact—including coverage and funding loss risks— on the state’s families if CHIP funding is not renewed next year.
