ICYMI: Lancaster Superintendent and School Board President Call on Congress to Support Six-Year Extension of CHIP

Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it, the superintendent and school board president of the School District of Lancaster are calling on Congress to support the proposed six-year extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) included in the government funding bill passed by the House of Representatives last night with Rep. Smucker’s support.

“The proposed six-year extension of CHIP is needed right now,” wrote Damaris Rau and Edith Gallagher. “Pennsylvania is one of 16 states whose federal dollars for this program will be exhausted by the end of January. When that happens, the futures of millions of families and their children will be at risk.”

Rep. Smucker supports CHIP. Here are some of his recent actions:

On September 29, 2017, Rep. Smucker sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urging the House to take up legislation to reauthorize the CHIP as soon as possible. In the letter, Rep. Smucker said “ensuring that children have access to high-quality health insurance coverage during their formative years yields an abundance of positive outcomes. Research suggests that children insured through CHIP are more likely to complete college, maximize their earning power, and experience better health outcomes as adults, with fewer hospitalizations.” Read the full letter here.

On November 3, 2017, with Rep. Smucker’s support, the House passed a five-year extension of CHIP, as well as a two-year extension of funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and more than $1 billion for the Medicaid programs in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Read more about this House-passed legislation here.

Additionally, Rep. Smucker joined Fox Business on January 11th to again call for an extension of CHIP. During the interview, Rep. Smucker said “we must get this approved to ensure that kids do not lose coverage.” Watch the full interview here.

For Our Children’s Sake, Save CHIP

By Damaris Rau and Edith Gallagher

Lancaster Online

January 19, 2017

It should not be necessary for the citizens of our great nation to have to write letters to get the attention of our elected officials over the pending expiration and collapse of the Children’s Health Insurance Plan, or CHIP. We, the superintendent and the board of directors of the School District of Lancaster, are alarmed this plea is not only necessary, but that it is urgent. It is urgent because it concerns the health and well-being of our children, and it seems our representatives don’t feel that urgency.

The proposed six-year extension of CHIP is needed right now. Pennsylvania is one of 16 states whose federal dollars for this program will be exhausted by the end of January. When that happens, the futures of millions of families and their children will be at risk.

Before CHIP’s enactment in 1997, more than 23 percent of low-income children were uninsured. Today only 5 percent remain uninsured nationally.  The health plans offered through CHIP are specifically designed for children and include regular checkups, screenings and immunizations, among other essential services. Currently, CHIP provides medical coverage for 8.9 million children in working families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford or access private coverage. Some 181,000 of those children are in Pennsylvania, 10,161 are here in Lancaster County. Many of these children need ongoing treatment for things like asthma, allergies, diabetes and childhood cancer. If CHIP is allowed to collapse, many children will suffer and possibly die because their families cannot afford medical treatment.

When a child’s health is not optimal, that child will not thrive. He or she will not succeed academically. We want kids to be in school, we want kids to come to school every day ready to learn. This is the way to prepare the next generation to contribute to and lead our society. Programs like CHIP simply say that we as a society understand that health care is something everyone needs, that it promotes the general welfare of our nation and is essential to our future.

The U.S. House and Senate measures now on the table would extend CHIP funding for six years, and both sides are in agreement on the proper federal funding level. Unfortunately, in the face of Congressional inaction, many states have started to notify families that their children’s benefits may end.

We know a great many difficult decisions lie before our legislators. The health of our children — our collective future — should not be one of those difficult decisions. Indeed, it is an easy decision.

Please join us in urging Congress to restore funding for CHIP, making it possible for our children to stay healthy and come to school every day ready to learn.

Damaris Rau is superintendent of the School District of Lancaster. Edith Gallagher is school board president.

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