States are bracing to potentially lose Children's Health Insurance Program funding amid federal legislative uncertainty, according to The Washington Post.
Here are five things to know.
1. Congress did not renew funding for CHIP prior to a Sept. 30 deadline. CHIP covers roughly 9 million low-income children, as well as 370,000 pregnant women.
2. Without action from Congress, Arizona, California, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon and Washington, D.C., could see CHIP funding dry up by Dec. 31 or early January, according to the report, which cites data from Georgetown University’s Center on Children and Families. Other states, such as Virginia and Texas, are also slated to run out of funding by early next year. The report notes some states will be forced to completely shut down their children’s health programs if Congress doesn't act.
3. In total, nearly 12 states are preparing for funding to run out. For some states, such as Virginia, this preparation includes drafting letters to warn families their children’s insurance may be eliminated, according to The Washington Post.
4. Congress could extend funding before January, although it is still unclear if this action will occur.
5. If CHIP funding is not extended, CMS said affected states that have to end their children’s health programs will be responsible for deciding whether enrolled children are eligible for Medicaid or whether their family will need to gain coverage through an ACA plan, according to the report.
Read the full report here.