Rep. Rosen Urges Congress to Reauthorize CHIP Funding Before Upcoming Deadline

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., issued the following statement on the upcoming Sept. 30 deadline for funding reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Nearly 69,000 children in Nevada receive medical coverage through Nevada Check Up or CHIP:

"If Republicans in Congress fail to approve this funding for CHIP, then tens of thousands of children across Nevada could be left without access to affordable health care.

"Thousands of kids are counting on Congress to reauthorize this critical health insurance program before the rapidly approaching deadline. It would be unconscionable to let partisan political games get in the way of our children's health."

BACKGROUND: CHIP was aEuros‹first aEuros‹signed into law in 1997 and provides federal matching funds to states to provide health coverage to children in families who don't qualify for Medicaid but can't afford private coverage. In Nevada, children living in households with an annual income of up to 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify for coverage through Nevada Check Up.