The CHIP program was renewed and expanded by President Obama in 2009. It expanded from assisting 7 million families to 11 million in the United States. Every state does have a CHIP program but sometimes it is operated under a different name.
Two years later and the CHIP program, as well as many other government-funded programs, are in trouble. On April 14, 2011 President Obama signed the budget for the fiscal year. The legislation made $38.5 billion in cuts from domestic programs. Health care is one the many programs that is looking to have major economic setbacks.
“Along with trying to finalize the budget for the rest of 2011, the House is tackling several other key items Thursday.” An April 14, 2011 article from Fox News said.
“As part of the budget compromise, the House passed separate bills to defund the federal health care law (240-185) and cut money for Planned Parenthood (241-185).”
These types of decisions will also lead to taking away funding for CHIPs. This will result in many families not being able to provide adequate health care for their children. CHIPs assists millions of children yearly and cutting back from this program are going to deeply affect these families.
Showing posts with label CHIPS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CHIPS. Show all posts
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Pros and Cons of CHIPs Program
The health care debate is a hot button topic in the government. It is especially relevant now with all of the hospital budget cuts looming in the future. After researching the different sides opinions on the issue, it appears that the media is making it bi-partisan issue. In reality, this issue should not be decided through political party preference. Both sides obviously agree on the same issue. Children should be able to receive proper medical treatment. The only issue is how they should go about supplying these children with the finances to achieve this goal.
Although the idea of CHIPs and Medicaid in general is derived as negative, a 2011 study from The Kaiser Family Foundation shows that these types of programs are “surprisingly popular.” 39% of the people polled said that Medicaid is very important for their family. I can see both sides of each argument. Middle to lower income children are in need of medical assistance, but many are not willing to give out more dollars to the government.
Since the United States and Texas are in such a deep budget crisis I feel that this is the time when it is important to make sure that these programs which are doing good for our society are sustained. The current financial situation does call for "cutting- back" but it shouldn't be at the expense of meaningful programs that are assisting children.
To ease the mind of those against CHIPs, they could instill stronger background reports of the families and children involved in the program. They are also talking about making families re-apply every six months instead of yearly which could also monitor the families that are involved.
-Liane Michnoff
Although the idea of CHIPs and Medicaid in general is derived as negative, a 2011 study from The Kaiser Family Foundation shows that these types of programs are “surprisingly popular.” 39% of the people polled said that Medicaid is very important for their family. I can see both sides of each argument. Middle to lower income children are in need of medical assistance, but many are not willing to give out more dollars to the government.
Since the United States and Texas are in such a deep budget crisis I feel that this is the time when it is important to make sure that these programs which are doing good for our society are sustained. The current financial situation does call for "cutting- back" but it shouldn't be at the expense of meaningful programs that are assisting children.
To ease the mind of those against CHIPs, they could instill stronger background reports of the families and children involved in the program. They are also talking about making families re-apply every six months instead of yearly which could also monitor the families that are involved.
-Liane Michnoff
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Robinson Family and the CHIPs Program
When the CHIPs program is presented to states is often difficult for people to view it as anything but an additional cost. While many families might view CHIPs as superfluous spending, some families view it as their only means to attain regular health care. This is the case for the Robinson family in Georgia. Their family is only able to attain any type of health care provisions through the CHIPs program. Without it, health care will be viewed at as luxurious spending. This video courtesy of CBS News gives more information on the Robinson family and the Georgia CHIPs program.
Georgia, like many states is cutting back immensely on CHIPs because it is eating into the states budget. Families who do not pay their premium are automatically being kicked out of the program. This is to help prevent people from using the program as a crutch instead of a necessity. Unfortunately, there are still many families and children in need of CHIPs.
An article from Medical News Today online states, “there are still about 4.7 million uninsured American children who are eligible for CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) or Medicaid and are not enrolled, says a new report published in the journal Health Affairs.”
Despite these numbers, budgets continue to be cut back in many states due to excess spending.
-Liane Michnoff
Georgia, like many states is cutting back immensely on CHIPs because it is eating into the states budget. Families who do not pay their premium are automatically being kicked out of the program. This is to help prevent people from using the program as a crutch instead of a necessity. Unfortunately, there are still many families and children in need of CHIPs.
An article from Medical News Today online states, “there are still about 4.7 million uninsured American children who are eligible for CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) or Medicaid and are not enrolled, says a new report published in the journal Health Affairs.”
Despite these numbers, budgets continue to be cut back in many states due to excess spending.
-Liane Michnoff
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Texas CHIP Coalition
The CHIP program is still undergoing a lot of scrutiny in Texas as well as the United States. Texas CHIP coalition was formed in 1988 to help acquire support for the program in the state of Texas. They engage in advocacy efforts as well as educational efforts. Their website states that they work closely with the Texas Legislature on behalf of the children that are apart of the program as well as families.
The Texas CHIP coalition website offers information on the program as well as how to register. They have additional information regarding what is going on in the Texas Legislature about CHIPs and hold monthly meetings at the Texas Medical Association in Austin, Texas. Their website also offers the minutes for each meeting that they have.
According to an article by the New York Times in 2009 many states adopted the CHIP program even despite the recession. “The states' willingness to spend, even under excruciating budget pressures, is a measure of the support for expanding health care coverage to the uninsured as Congress and the Obama administration intensify their negotiations over a new federal health care bill.”
California was one of the states, like Texas, that did not adopt the program immediately. The article stated that “California officials estimate that up to 350,000 eligible children may be relegated to a waiting list, as the state grapples with its financial crisis.” Since this article was written in 2009, the losses that children have received due to no medical treatment have risen significantly in these states.
-Liane Michnoff
The Texas CHIP coalition website offers information on the program as well as how to register. They have additional information regarding what is going on in the Texas Legislature about CHIPs and hold monthly meetings at the Texas Medical Association in Austin, Texas. Their website also offers the minutes for each meeting that they have.
According to an article by the New York Times in 2009 many states adopted the CHIP program even despite the recession. “The states' willingness to spend, even under excruciating budget pressures, is a measure of the support for expanding health care coverage to the uninsured as Congress and the Obama administration intensify their negotiations over a new federal health care bill.”
California was one of the states, like Texas, that did not adopt the program immediately. The article stated that “California officials estimate that up to 350,000 eligible children may be relegated to a waiting list, as the state grapples with its financial crisis.” Since this article was written in 2009, the losses that children have received due to no medical treatment have risen significantly in these states.
-Liane Michnoff
Monday, January 31, 2011
CHIPs, health reform and Texas children
Health care reform has been a hot button topic in the United States as well as the state of Texas. Most people often forget about the children who are unable to receive suitable health insurance as a result of their parent’s income. Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers Children’s Medicaid to families with uninsured children. They also offer prenatal health insurance to pregnant mothers who qualify.
This is being discussed under the Texas Health and Human Service Commission. HHSC has a mission to make sure all Texans achieve efficient and effective health care. It works with annual budget of $16 billion and 9,300 employee. This is a major step for Texas in health reform since last year the state was considering dropping out of the Medicaid and CHIP entirely. According to a New York Times Article (Nov. 6, 2010), “the Texas program costs $40 billion for a period of two years, with the federal government paying 60 percent of the bill.” The debate about dropping these programs arose from the recent changes in health care in the United States.
Overall, the CHIP program is established to help children under the age of 19 who are unqualified for Medicaid and cannot afford private health insurance. CHIP covers anything from a mental health care visit to something as simple as an eye examination. Co-payments are based on the family income so that not all families will be paying the same amount for health care. For more information on the CHIP program you can visit its website at http://www.chipmedicaid.org/
-Liane Michnoff
This is being discussed under the Texas Health and Human Service Commission. HHSC has a mission to make sure all Texans achieve efficient and effective health care. It works with annual budget of $16 billion and 9,300 employee. This is a major step for Texas in health reform since last year the state was considering dropping out of the Medicaid and CHIP entirely. According to a New York Times Article (Nov. 6, 2010), “the Texas program costs $40 billion for a period of two years, with the federal government paying 60 percent of the bill.” The debate about dropping these programs arose from the recent changes in health care in the United States.
Overall, the CHIP program is established to help children under the age of 19 who are unqualified for Medicaid and cannot afford private health insurance. CHIP covers anything from a mental health care visit to something as simple as an eye examination. Co-payments are based on the family income so that not all families will be paying the same amount for health care. For more information on the CHIP program you can visit its website at http://www.chipmedicaid.org/
-Liane Michnoff
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