Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health insurance to children who do not qualify for Medicaid and do not have access to private health insurance. On Feb. 4, 2009, President Obama signed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), which reauthorized CHIP and extended program funding through FY 2013. The law provides significant new funding for states to enroll additional children in CHIP. Prior to the reauthorization, more than 6 million children were insured through CHIP. According to the Congressional Budget Office, CHIPRA includes funding and enrollment policies that will result in the enrollment of 4.1 million additional children who are not currently covered by Medicaid or CHIP. CHIPRA also includes most of the provisions of the Children’s Health Care Quality Act of 2007, which had been championed by N.A.C.H., and for the first time makes a significant federal investment in pediatric quality measurement and improvement. 

For more information, contact Aimee Ossman, Director, Medicaid and State Policy Analysis, 703/797-6023.