(BOSTON, MA) — Statement of Eva Stahl, Director of the Children’s Health Initiative at Community Catalyst, regarding the approval of bills yesterday in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Senate Finance Committee to extend funding of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

“We commend the Senate Finance Committee and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for approving bills to refund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which makes it possible for millions of children to receive vital health coverage. We are also encouraged the House and Senate committees agree on the children’s health policy provisions of their respective CHIP extension bills.

“However, we are deeply concerned that the House bill includes added measures that derail bipartisanship, detract from the overall goal of ensuring these children continue to be covered and delay needed aid to Puerto Rico in this time of crisis. Any final CHIP refunding bill should include the bipartisan policy provisions without shifting costs onto vulnerable populations. 

“We encourage both branches of Congress to act swiftly to renew CHIP financing so children can continue to have access to affordable, age-appropriate benefits and a robust network of health providers. Alongside Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, CHIP plays a crucial role in providing approximately nine million children and pregnant women with affordable, high-quality health coverage.”

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About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Read our blog at http://blog.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.