"Joint Budget Committee Update
This afternoon, the Colorado Joint Budget Committee (JBC) approved the emergency supplemental request to allow the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to use the CHP+ Trust Fund to continue to fund the CHP+ program for the month of February in the event that Congress does not provide sufficient funds to cover that month. This will allow Colorado to continue the existing program for a month and delay sending termination notices to families. The request passed on a vote of 5-0 (with Lundberg absent).
Policy Update
This afternoon, the U.S. House passed along party lines a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through January 19. The CR includes $2.85 billion to fund CHIP through March 31, 2018, but does not include a long-term extension of CHIP funding. This amount of funding is less than would be expected for CHIP over this time period. The CR also continues to provide the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) legal authority to redistribute CHIP federal funds to states that are running out of funds the fastest. The CR is likely to pass in the U.S. Senate as well. You can read more about the short-term CHIP fix here from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.
Policy Update
This afternoon, the U.S. House passed along party lines a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through January 19. The CR includes $2.85 billion to fund CHIP through March 31, 2018, but does not include a long-term extension of CHIP funding. This amount of funding is less than would be expected for CHIP over this time period. The CR also continues to provide the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) legal authority to redistribute CHIP federal funds to states that are running out of funds the fastest. The CR is likely to pass in the U.S. Senate as well. You can read more about the short-term CHIP fix here from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.
At this time, it is unclear what this short-term fix means for Colorado, and how much, if any, of the additional funds Colorado might receive.
First Focus delivered the CHIP sign on letter to Congressional leaders this week, with nearly 900 state and national organizations signed on. National groups also hosted a briefing on CHIP in DC this week that featured families from Colorado and other states. The New York Times reported on the event.
Also, in case you missed it, we wanted to share this article in Colorado Politics.
Finally, below and attached are social media posts that you can use and share with your networks.
· Colorado kids and families need to know their child’s health coverage will be there when they need it—patchwork funding for #CHIP is not enough. #CHIPfunding #ExtendCHIP
· Despite many promises, Congress left for the holidays without a long-term extension for #CHIPfunding. This cannot stand in the New Year—the future of our nation’s kids is at stake. #CHIPMatters
Facebook
· Congress has kicked the can down the road yet again, failing to provide a long-term extension for CHIP before heading home for the holidays. States can’t rely on limited patchwork funding, and families can’t afford to go without coverage for their kids. We need our leaders to do better."
· Congress has kicked the can down the road yet again, failing to provide a long-term extension for CHIP before heading home for the holidays. States can’t rely on limited patchwork funding, and families can’t afford to go without coverage for their kids. We need our leaders to do better."
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