CHIP funding in question as deadline passes without vote

The September 30 deadline for the renewal of funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has passed with no action taken by U.S. legislators.

The U.S. Congress had not scheduled a vote on a September 18 bill designed to fund the project through 2022 at press time. The bill, known as the Keep Kids' Insurance Dependable and Secure Act of 2017, was introduced by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

At least four states (Arizona, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Utah) plus the District of Columbia will run out of CHIP funds by the end of 2017, according to news reports. Overall, the program cost the U.S. government about $13.6 billion in 2016.