The federal funds for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expired at the end of September, and a solution has not been made yet.  As state funding for the program becomes increasingly closer to completely dissolving, Congress has reauthorized a temporary spending bill to avert a shutdown.

Chip insures about 9 million low-income children and pregnant women who don’t have employer-based insurance but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.  It is funded by both the federal government and states.  The federal government funds the majority with 80%.

Many states were close to losing money for funding CHIP.

Despite the troubles in Congress, governors had remained in agreement on this issue. Republican Govs. John Kasich of Ohio and Brian Sandoval of Nevada and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper all issued statements urging Congress to come to a long-term agreement.

“It’s been very time-consuming keeping up with the what-ifs,” said Linda Nablo, chief deputy director for Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services. “If Congress reauthorizes this soon, do we still send out letters to families? Are we withholding information if we don’t? What does it take to stop the computer system from making payments? What about our call centers, we have to train people to answer questions about what’s going on.”

Call Cosmo Insurance Agency to see if you qualify for CHIP.  We provide guidance for choosing health insurance that’s right for you and your family’s needs.  Check out another blog on back to school health!

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Source: http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-chip-congress-shutdown-states.html