Advocacy Groups Calling On Governor To Push For CHIP Funding

Healthcare and children’s advocacy groups are calling on Gov. Mike Pence to push for future funding of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP.  The federal support for the program is set to run out next year.

CHIP, enacted by Congress in 1997, is meant to provide health insurance for children in families making too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to buy adequate private insurance.  For every one dollar spent through CHIP, 75 cents comes from the federal government and the state pays 25 cents.  Congress has reached out to governors, asking for feedback and recommendations, as it considers whether to continue financially supporting the program. 

Caitlin Priest, a spokeswoman for the group Covering Kids and Families Indiana says 30 organizations are urging Gov. Pence to express his support, noting that 83,000 Hoosier children use CHIP.  And she says if the funding disappears, many kids will be left without insurance, while others will be forced to move onto their parents’ insurance or buy coverage through the federal marketplace.

“And what we are really concerned about is that the benefits that kids get on CHIP are much, much better, by and large, than what they would be required to get on the marketplace or through their parents’ insurance,”Priest said.

The governor’s office says it’s preparing a letter in response to Congress’ request for feedback, though officials don’t say what the letter will include. The deadline to respond is Friday.