Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) and Congressman Ryan Costello (PA-06) introduced legislation to provide short-term funding for the Minnesota Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Emmer and Costello’s responsible stopgap solution, the CHIP Stability Act, helps Minnesota’s most vulnerable while the Senate finishes the job to fund women and children’s health insurance.

“Unfortunately, lack of action in the Senate has forced Minnesota to find alternative funding in order to continue coverage for CHIP recipients,” said Emmer. “I am proud to join Rep. Costello to introduce this responsible legislation and urge my colleagues in the Senate to take quick action to pass long-term CHIP reauthorization for Minnesotans and millions of families across the country.”

“Nearly 177,000 children in Pennsylvania and millions across the country utilize CHIP, making this a critically important program that we must keep fully operational,” said Rep. Costello. “While it is unfortunate this legislation is necessary, we must bridge the funding gap, and I will continue to push for a long-term reauthorization of the program.”

Emmer introduced the State CHIP Flexibility Act last month, which would provide more flexibility and avoid fines to the state for continuing to cover pregnant women under the program. To ensure that pregnant women are covered for the entirety of their nine-month pregnancy, Minnesota opted to carry-over CHIP funds. Unfortunately, current law penalizes state foresight and flexibility, and instead imposes a fine on any state who utilizes carry-over funds. Minnesota is one of just two states in the nation to face this penalty.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Subcommittee Chairman Michael Burgess (R-TX) are original co-sponsors of Emmer and Costello’s bill.

Additional Resources:

Emmer Introduces Legislation to Ensure Care for Vulnerable Mothers and Children (11/16/17)
OP-ED: Clock is ticking on plan to fund children's health insurance (11/22/17)