As the Children’s Health Insurance Fund went un-renewed this September, many in Washington weren’t worried. But with mere weeks left in 2017 without a permanent solution, states are scrambling. Sixteen states expect to run out of funds for the program, commonly known as “CHIP,” by the end of January. 2016 saw 8.9 million enrolled children in families whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. If the program runs out, most enrolled children would switch to Medicaid. That would still leave 1.2 million children uninsured. Above all, the prevailing problem is the uncertainty as to if and when the program will be funded. The next few weeks will be pivotal for state healthcare budgets.
