NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
By Selena Simmons-Duffin & Ashley Lopez, Kut
Colorado became the first state to notify families that children who receive health insurance through the Children’s Health Insurance Program are in danger of losing their coverage.
Nearly 9 million children are insured through CHIP, which covers mostly working-class families. The program has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, but Congress let federal funding for CHIP expire in September.
The National Governor’s Association weighed in Wednesday, urging Congress to reauthorize the program this year because states are starting to run out of money.
In Virginia, Linda Nablo, an official with the Department of Medical Assistance Services, is drafting a letter for parents of the 66,000 Virginia children enrolled in CHIP.
We’ve never had to do this before,” she says. “How do you write the very best letter saying, ‘Your child might lose coverage, but it’s not certain yet. But in the meantime, these are some things you need to think about.’ ”