The importance of CHIP re-authorization for Massachusetts

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides critical federal funding to the Massachusetts Medicaid program. On September 30, 2017 CHIP will expire without re-authorization from Congress. This would not only impact children’s healthcare in Massachusetts, but have effects on broader health policy as well. One of these effects is a greater strain on the state budget. This report notes that Massachusetts has been committed for a long time to making sure nearly all children in the state have the protection of health insurance. This resolution won’t change whether or not CHIP is reauthorized, but without the additional funding, new financial challenges could be on the way for Massachusetts.