Restoration of Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding is a critical issue nationwide. Federal funding for all state CHIP programs officially ran out on Sept. 30, 2017. The FY2018 government spending measure enacted into law in December includes a temporary CHIP funding fix that will fund programs until about March 31, 2018. But if a CHIP funding measure is not signed into law before the end of March 2018, states will run out of funding and CHIP programs around the country will shut down, resulting in a termination of health insurance coverage for thousands of children, including children with respiratory conditions such as asthma. CHIP insures about 9 million children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.
Contact your House Representative and two senators NOW and urge them to pass a CHIP funding restoration measure. If you cannot make a phone call, send a tweet or an email to your Rep/Senators by clicking here!
Call Your Members of Congress
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 1(202) 224-3121 and ask for your Rep/Sen. When you are connected to the office, ask for the Health Legislative Assistant. Give them the following sample message (feel free to add more information). If you leave a voicemail, leave your phone number so they can call you back:
“My name is ____ and I am a healthcare provider from (your town). I treat and research respiratory illnesses including asthma and cystic fibrosis. I am calling today to urge Rep/Sen. ___ to support passage of legislation that would restore funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for five years. Families who rely on CHIP already face challenges in managing their children’s health. The last thing these families need is uncertainty about the future of their children’s medical coverage. Because CHIP funding has expired, within the next few months, states will be forced to make difficult choices such as slashing enrollment and reducing benefits. All states will run out of money to cover these children unless Congress restores CHIP funding before the end of March. Please take immediate action to fund CHIP for five years.”
If you make a call, please send a quick email to advocacy@thoracic.org to let us know!
