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Isabella Higgins's picture
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) ensures that we always give our kids a winning hand of lifelong health! Republicans and Democrats created this critically important program in 1997 because it was a low-cost, sound investment in our children's health and future—and they were right! Since enacted, the uninsured rate for children has dropped by nearly 68%!
 
Thanks to CHIP, and its companion coverage Medicaid, 95% of our nation’s children now have health insurance coverage and the cost savings, as well as life savings, are significant. This dramatic increase in kids’ coverage has a tangible, positive impact on our nation’s future health and education
 
From Heather in Idaho: 
 

I worked for an employer who offered healthcare at a discounted price, for the employees only - not their families. As a result, everyone employed there was ineligible for the tax credits to be able to buy insurance in our state's insurance exchange, including my family and I. If CHIP were not available to my children, I don't know what we would have done. Anyone who's raised kids knows, you have to have insurance for them - stuff happens, from sore throats and ear infections, right on up to jumping off the roof. I still don't make enough money to pay for private insurance and pay the bills. CHIP helps me to care for my kids and gives us the security of knowing that if they pick up a bug at school, we can take them to a doctor without giving up our grocery budget entirely. CHIP is necessary, and I'm grateful for it.

 

You can read more stories from parents about CHIP in our storybook, and if you have a story of your own about CHIP, you can submit it here.

 


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