With federal funding that provides health coverage to more than 6,000 children in the Mahoning Valley set to expire, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) outlined his plan to extend funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) during a press conference at the at the Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley today. Congress must act now to prevent an expiration of funding for CHIP -- currently set to expire in September. Last month, Brown introduced legislation to extend funding for this critical program through 2019.
"We can't turn our backs on health coverage that allows children to grow into healthy, active adults," Brown said. "Since its creation in 1997, the Children's Health Insurance Program has provided affordable, comprehensive health care for children who might not otherwise have access to coverage. This lifeline program has cut the number of uninsured children in half and has garnered broad bipartisan support. But now, despite its success here in the Mahoning Valley and nationwide, CHIP's future is in jeopardy -- as is the health and well-being of our kids. It's clear that letting this program expire is not an option. I hope my colleagues will join me in doing the right thing for our kids and extend funding for the current program without delay."