Friday, September 8, 2017

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is vital for kids' wellbeing

September is a big month for kids – not only are they starting or heading back to school, but this year they also are taking center stage in Washington as Congress heads back from its own summer recess. Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will expire at the end of September, meaning Congress must act swiftly to ensure continued, comprehensive medical and dental coverage for our nation’s children.

Nationwide, CHIP covers approximately 9 million uninsured kids (and in some cases, pregnant mothers) in families with incomes that are modest but too high to qualify for Medicaid. 

States administer the CHIP program in different ways. Your state may have a separate CHIP program, combine the CHIP and Medicaid programs, or include CHIP within Medicaid expansion initiatives. Although administered by states in a variety of ways, the federal government provides matching federal funds to all states and that funding is vital to the program’s continued success.

Historically, CHIP reauthorization and funding have enjoyed bipartisan support, with members of Congress working together to guarantee health care coverage for vulnerable children. However, with the hotly-contested debates over Affordable Care Act repeal and replace legislation, securing the future of the CHIP program may prove significantly more challenging this time around…

Congress must tackle a significant number of important issues in short order this September. 


Addressing the debt ceiling to avoid a government shutdown, authorizing Hurricane Harvey relief, and handling a Trump administration proposal to privatize air traffic control are all at the top of the list. But Congress cannot lose sight the importance of CHIP. 

Without a long-term solution, states will be left with uncertainty over the future of their health care programs for kids. If CHIP funding is not renewed, or not renewed by the end of the month, states will be forced to make difficult decisions regarding the enrollment of the children in their programs. Without this funding, some children will be left without any form of medical or dental coverage.

We have seen over time that coverage leads to care and access to appropriate dental care is vital for children. In particular, tooth decay, the most common chronic disease among children, is degenerative without treatment and prevention, and research shows poor oral health impacts school performance and attendance.

But CHIP’s importance extends beyond oral health. 


For example, recent research indicates that treatment of gum disease can lead to better overall health management—as evidenced by lower health care costs and fewer hospitalizations—among people with common health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. Ultimately, Congress must understand the gravity of their decision – coverage for children positions them well for a lifetime of optimal health and success. Don’t let politics put this at risk. Instead, let’s collaborate across party lines to quickly develop a sustainable plan that provides effective coverage for children and mothers in CHIP.

September 2017 marks the start of school and the start of what could make or break our children’s futures. This month is about ensuring our next generation is well-positioned to achieve optimal health throughout their lifetimes. As an organization committed to improving the oral health of all, DentaQuest strongly urges Congress to work together on CHIP funding and reauthorization in time to protect these vulnerable populations.


Make sure your voice is heard! 


Look up your Representative or Senator and ask them to renew CHIP funding and support long-term, sustainable solutions to protect our children’s health care.