Unless your child benefited from the program, it is very likely that you know nothing about the “Children’s Health Insurance Program,” or CHIP. It was created in 1997. In a bipartisan effort by Ted Kennedy and Orrin Hatch, the bill easily passed both houses. The purpose of CHIP was to provide healthcare for nine million children who fall into a ‘wage gap.’ The parents of these children earn wages which prevent them from qualifying for Medicaid, but not enough to afford health insurance. It was renewed without strong opposition from either party until this year. Within days states will run out of funds to continue the program.

The logjam comes from Republicans. When Hatch, the co-sponsor of the law, was asked why Trump’s tax bill will give huge tax breaks to large corporations and the super rich, but Republicans refuse to renew CHIP, he said “we don’t have the money.” Really?

There is no reason for congress to delay a five-year extension of CHIP. America is a country which generally ignores the needs and wishes of its citizens, but to refuse nine million children life-saving healthcare is unforgivable.

I know the Pentagon needs more money to waste on their useless toys, but Republicans must do the right thing for once.

Please spread the truth; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

SOURCE

Photo courtesy of Woodleywonderworks

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