MACPAC estimates that, without federal extension of funding
for the CHIP program, CT will run out of funds in February. Our state CHIP
program, also called HUSKY Part B, provided subsidized coverage 17,133 children
as of August 1st. Created by Congress in 1997, the CHIP program has
provided coverage to 3.67
million children across the US living in families with incomes just over
the Medicaid limit. CT receives an 88% federal match for both HUSKY B children and
HUSKY A children (Medicaid) living in families with incomes over 138% of the
federal poverty level. This match provides CT with over $70 million in reimbursement
yearly for children’s health coverage. All
states will run out of funds by July of next year. At Friday’s
Medicaid Council meeting, DSS stated that without a federal extension, they
will have to close down the program in mid-December to cover obligations when
current funds run out. Created by Like Medicaid, CHIP is jointly funded by
states and the federal government, but is administered by states. Current CHIP
funding expires on September 30th of this year. The program has
bipartisan Congressional support but advocates are concerned that legislation
to extend CHIP could serve as a vehicle to cut Medicaid or repeal parts of the
Affordable Care Act.
