Nearly half a million children in Florida are at risk of losing medical coverage if the program is not extended.
TALLAHASSEE – Children’s hospitals statewide are calling on Florida’s congressional delegation for help in saving a federal program that provides health insurance to millions of children nationwide, including more than 473,000 in Florida.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, is a bipartisan program that offers healthcare coverage to children who don’t qualify for Medicaid but also don’t have access to private insurance. Enacted in 1997, CHIP provides federal matching funds to states that create health plans for children from low-income families.
The program was reauthorized in 2009 and, unless lawmakers take action, funding for it will expire Sept. 30. The Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals (FACH), a coalition of 15 children’s hospitals providing about two-thirds of the state’s inpatient hospital days for children, is urging Florida’s congressional members not to let that happen.
“We are asking that Florida’s congressional delegation work swiftly with members of Congress to save the Children’s Health Insurance Program,’’ said Dr. Jerry Bridgham, president of the Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals. “Without it, families across the state may have no affordable way to provide basic healthcare for their children.’’
Now is the time to act. In order to receive the federal match, Florida lawmakers must appropriate state funding during the upcoming legislative session. Earlier this month, FACH submitted a letter to the state’s congressional members asking them to advance legislation as soon as possible to continue this critical program. (See attached letter.)
Nationwide, 39 governors, both Democrats and Republicans, are requesting Congress provide certainty about CHIP’s future by March, when many state budgets are due. If funding for CHIP is not extended, the U.S. Government Accountability Office predicts 2 million children could become uninsured. Millions more would be forced into more expensive, inadequate plans through private insurance exchanges, disproportionately impacting children with special needs.
“Keeping children healthy should be a priority for everyone,’’ said Michael Aubin, president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville and a member of the Children’s Hospital Association Board of Trustees. “Extending the program would ensure millions of children continue to receive the medical services they need to lead healthy, productive lives.’’
Last year in Florida alone, CHIP provided healthcare coverage to 473,415 children through Florida KidCare, which includes Healthy Kids and MediKids. A public/private partnership, the program covers children’s medical expenses such as doctor visits, prescriptions, dental care and mental health care.
Florida was the first state in the country to implement the CHIP legislation and is in a good position to take the lead in renewing the program, FACH officials said. Since its inception, CHIP has helped reduce the percentage of uninsured children nationwide from 25 percent in 1997 to 13 percent in 2012, even as rates for uninsured adults have increased.
CHIP has a proven track record of meeting children’s healthcare needs and must be strongly protected. FACH asks that Congress not delay in extending it.
