WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives today passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government, by a vote of 230-197. Included in the CR is a provision providing six-years of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which is the longest and most generous funding extension of the program. In recent days, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has updated its scoring of the provision, projecting a net savings over a six-year window.
“Today, the House acted once again to put kids first, extending this vital funding for CHIP. As this important bill now heads to the Senate, we urge swift passage, so President Trump can quickly sign it into law. Kids in our communities can’t wait any longer," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX). “As we move to get CHIP over the finish line, we will also continue our work to quickly advance the remaining public health and Medicare extenders, delivering the certainty these folks depend on."
Funding for CHIP and other public health priorities expired on Sept. 30, 2017. The House of Representatives previously passed H.R. 3922, the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act, extending funding for CHIP, Community Health Centers and other important public health programs, on Nov. 3, 2017, by a bipartisan vote.
H.R. 3922 was fully offset through responsible reforms like reducing federal subsidies for seniors earning more than $500,000 each year (or $40,000 each month) by limiting government contributions for their Part B and D premiums, and disenrolling lottery jackpot winners from Medicaid to prioritize the most vulnerable.
The House acted twice in recent months (December 7, 2017 and Dec. 21, 2017 ) to provide short-term funding for states to continue their CHIP programs, giving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) greater flexibility over the use of redistribution funds.
