Senate plans first hearing on CHIP funding

A Senate panel will take its first step toward extending funds for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) with a hearing on CHIP’s track record next week.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) will lead Tuesday’s hearing in the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, which he chairs.

{mosads}Rockefeller introduced legislation in June to extend the program’s funding through 2019.

“Almost two decades ago, when I worked with my colleagues to create CHIP, nearly one-fourth of the nation’s children did not have healthcare,” he said in a statement Thursday.

“Today, less than 10 percent of children are uninsured. Of course, with any of our kids going without care, it is essential that CHIP continue and be able to build on its success.”

In addition to guaranteeing funds, Rockefeller’s bill provides incentives for states to expand CHIP coverage and improve dental care for kids.

The measure also makes permanent CHIP’s “express lane eligibility” option, allowing states to use data from other agencies to expedite CHIP enrollment, and provides grant funding for outreach efforts to the uninsured.

Without action from Congress, more than 8 million children could lose their health coverage next September, when CHIP’s funding expires. The program is authorized through 2019.

The lead witness at Tuesday’s hearing will be Bruce Lesley, president of children’s advocacy group First Focus.