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Rep. Walker and House Democrats call for the reauthorization of CHIP

CHIP funding needed to provide Missouri children with health insurance

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State. Rep. Cora Faith Walker, D-Ferguson, along with a number of House Democrats sent a letter today urging Missouri’s United States Senators and Congressmen to support a clean five-year extension of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which expires on Sept. 30 of this year.

CHIP provides over 60,000 Missouri children with access to consistent care and health insurance coverage. As a result of this program, the uninsured rate for children has reduced by half and the number of unnecessary hospitalizations has decreased substantially. Additionally, children who utilize CHIP are more likely to have a usual source of care, make regular visits to health care providers and access preventative care. Rep. Walker hopes to pass a clean CHIP funding extension including the enhanced match, express lane eligibility and outreach grants.

“The Children’s Health Insurance Program has proven to be advantageous to Missouri children in that it provides them with access to care and services that positively impact their health and livelihood,” said Walker.

“My Democratic colleagues and I are troubled by the idea that thousands of children could lose access to health care coverage due to Congress’ inability to take action on such an important issue. Supporting healthy children and communities should be a priority for all of us and we are calling on Congress to support continued funding for CHIP. Thousands of Missouri children are counting on them.”