Photo credit: Pexels (https://www.pexels.com/photo/action-alone-beach-boy-240145/)
Since 1997, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has offered a comprehensive, affordable, children’s health insurance option to families that may not qualify for Medicare but cannot afford or are not eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance. Around the country, almost 9 million American children are covered by various CHIP programs. However, federal funding for the program ran out on September 30. As of press time, Congressional Republicans accused of holding the program hostage have decided to put a Band-Aid on the problem, but it’s time to fight for a more meaningful solution.