Note: This site explains CHIP in detail: https://ccf.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171220_PressRelease_CHIP.pdf
Note: Good summary of the appropriations extension and strategy: https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-12-07/house-senate-pass-continuing-resolution-to-fund-government-through-dec-22
Q: What is CHIP?
A: The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) helps states extend coverage to nearly 9 million uninsured kids.
Q: Which Department is CHIP within?
Q: What happened on various dates?
A: Funding lapsed and expired on Sept 30th, 2017
A: Patch/Special Rule (Continuing Resolution) applied by Congress on Dec 7th and signed Dec 8th, which was part of an appropriation extension. The House voted yea on: H J RES 123 (115th). The Senate followed same day without change. Kamala Harris voted nay.
Q: What was outcome?
A: Gave more money to 20 states and a shortfall in 2018. Problem is that Congress didn’t add money to the $2.9B block grant program.
A: If not resolved then 1.9M kids affected in Jan and an additional 1M in Feb
A: States are given block grants from the Federal Govt and have about 2 year to spend. Unspent funds go back into a redistribution pool.
Q: What other areas are politically included within the appropriations extension that included CHIP?
A: DACA (by Democrats); Pentagon funding increase (by Republicans); Dollar-for-Dollar match of defense spending vs non-defense spending (by Democrats); fund veterans and fight against opioids (Democrats).
Q: Why was this (CHIP allocation) allowed to occur?