Hatch Opening Statement at Finance Committee Hearing on CHIP, Julia Lawless 202-224-4515
Hatch Opening Statement at Finance Committee Hearing on CHIP
Twenty years ago, Senator
Twenty years ago, we were at something of a crossroads.
The year before CHIP was signed into law, a
So, we needed to be forward thinking, taking into account the realities at that time with an eye toward future sustainability of the program.
CHIP, from the outset, was a bipartisan program that enjoyed - and continues to enjoy - broad support throughout the country and here in
Current law provides federal CHIP funding through the end of Fiscal Year 2017. According to the
Additionally, inaction by
As the committee contemplates the future of the CHIP program, there are several thresholds we'll need to consider.
The basic question is: Does the committee want to reauthorize or merely extend CHIP?
Reauthorization would entail more extensive debate and the consideration of potential policy changes to the underlying program. As many of you know, in 2015, Congressman
While some policy changes are certainly in order for the program, some are justifiably concerned that, given the number of issues that are already before the committee, there may not be time to give full and fair consideration to CHIP reforms prior to the expiration of federal funding at the end of the fiscal year. With these concerns in mind, some have suggested that, instead of reauthorizing the entire program, we simply act to extend CHIP funding.
Of course, that option comes with its own set of questions.
For example, we'll need to determine the appropriate length for the extension and whether to continue with the 23 percent increase in federal matching for CHIP provided under the Affordable Care Act and extended in 2015.
I know some of our members have strong feelings about both of these questions.
These are not particularly complicated issues, but, they will require some deliberation among members of the committee.
Long story short, we have some difficult questions ahead of us. Whether we opt to reopen CHIP for reforms or simply provide another extension, the committee will need to invest significant time and effort to find answers to those questions.
Today, we will continue our discussion of these matters as we hear from witnesses who will testify to the importance of CHIP and the need for it to continue.
I hope members will listen carefully to these witnesses, confer with their states, and let me know how they would prefer to proceed with regard to CHIP. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis with Ranking Member Wyden and all the Members of the
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