Congress must renew childrens insurance program
If there’s good news in Congress reaching a deal on tax cuts that will largely benefit corporations and the wealthiest Americans, it’s that Congress might now find time for other issues it has shelved while Republicans slapped together the tax package with virtually no debate nor analysis.
Among those issues, of course, is action to formalize the protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — the 800,000 Dreamers who were brought to the U.S. and children and know no other home — that President Trump rescinded earlier this year. But also waiting for Congress to act are the more than 9 million U.S. children who receive health care coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the federal and state partnership that provides access to health care for children of families who lack adequate coverage.
CHIP, known in Washington state as Apple Health for Kids, provides medical, dental and vision coverage for children of families who don’t qualify for Medicaid but earn no more than 312 percent of the federal poverty level. A family of four can’t earn more than $73,800 to qualify for coverage that includes a reasonable monthly premium payment.
That coverage, particularly for working poor families, is critical to children’s health, Mary Wood of the state’s Health Care Authority told public radio station KNKX (88.5 FM) earlier in November.
It’s “critical for kids’ success in school and in life, and to us it’s a cornerstone for the success of kids,” Woods said.
Federal funding for the program lapsed Sept. 30, as Congress struggled and ultimately failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act. In the absence of that funding, states have continued the program, filling in with unspent federal funds. But for most states that source will begin to dry up near the end of January or February.
http://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-congress-must-renew-childrens-insurance-program/?utm_source=DAILY+HERALD&utm_campaign=0902ada25b-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d81d073bb4-0902ada25b-228635337
