CHIP funding needed to provide Missouri children with health insurance
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Cora Faith Walker on Friday filed legislation in the form of House Bill 1334 that would require the General Assembly to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in the event that federal funds fails to appropriate money towards the program.
CHIP provides thousands of 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.
“While Congress continues to delay reauthorizing CHIP funding, health coverage for nearly 90,000 kids in Missouri is at risk as states have waited more than 60 days for Congress to act,” said Walker. “Through the advancement of House Bill 1334, we as a body have an opportunity to protect health care for kids from working families and assist them in maintaining a decent quality of life. The time of waiting is over.”
For more information regarding House Bill 1334, please contact Rep. Walker’s office (573-751-2726) or CoraFaith.Walker@house.mo.gov).
