Childhood Asthma Leadership Coalition Urges Congress to Extend CHIP For 5 Years

September 2017

Asthma is the second most common chronic condition among children in the U.S, affecting approximately 7 million children under age 18.  And the disease is on the rise.  Since the 1980s the number of children with asthma has nearly doubled.[1]  Children from low income and minority families suffer the greatest burden of the disease and accompanying adverse outcomes such as hospitalizations and emergency room visits.  

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is an essential source of coverage for nearly 8.9 million children.  Working in tandem with Medicaid, it is estimated that approximately 925,000 children with asthma are covered by CHIP. CHIP funding expires on September 30, 2017.  Congress must act now to extend funding for this critically important program.