In Charles Dickens’ famous story, a seriously ill child melted the hard heart of Ebenezer Scrooge, who went from miser to generous benefactor to Bob Cratchit’s family, including and his son Tiny Tim. If only that image would move Congress to act to continue funding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Foot-dragging and partisanship threaten millions of kids’ access to health care and the clock is ticking.
This long-standing program provides health coverage targeted to low-income children and pregnant women in working families that earn too much for Medicaid but have no health insurance. It is jointly financed by the federal government and the states.