Rep. Rosen Urges Congressional Leaders to Immediately Pass a Clean Chip Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, issued the following news release:

Today, Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (NV-03) announced that she is co-sponsoring H.R. 4541, the CHAMPION KIDS Act, a clean bill to reauthorize and fund the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Community Health Centers program, and other expired public health programs:

"It's time for Republicans in Washington to stop playing political games and immediately pass a long-term CHIP reauthorization and funding for Nevada's community health centers," said Rosen. "Unfortunately, instead of working with Democrats to fix the failure to renew these critical health care programs, Congressional Republicans have decided to prioritize passing their reckless tax bill that's designed to benefit billionaires and corporations. I believe we must act to bring immediate relief to the tens of thousands of Nevada families who are increasingly worried about their children losing health coverage, and that's why I'm proud to co-sponsor the CHAMPION KIDS Act."

BACKGROUND: H.R. 4541, the CHAMPION KIDS Act, would extend funding for critical public health programs and initiatives, including CHIP, the Community Health Centers program, and the Special Diabetes Program. Last month, Congresswoman Rosen led a bipartisan letter with House members from Nevada's Congressional delegation urging CMS Administrator Seema Verma to immediately fund Nevada's Check Up Program -- the state's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) -- so that it continues through February 2018. The CHIP program expired on September 30, 2017. CHIP provides insurance to 9 million children nationwide. This year, CHIP provided coverage for nearly 69,000 children in Nevada whose low-income families don't qualify for Medicaid.