Baldwin Statement on Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement after the Senate passed legislation to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by a vote of 92-8. 

“This agreement is far from perfect and I am disappointed that only four Republicans supported an amendment that I cosponsored to further extend investments in CHIP for four years. But I am pleased that we were are able to pass a two year extension of CHIP that will preserve effective, low-cost health insurance for thousands of Wisconsin children,” said Baldwin. “Wisconsin has a strong history of providing kids with affordable, quality health insurance through CHIP in our BadgerCare program. CHIP has drastically reduced the uninsured rate for children and is critical for helping middle-class and lower-income families afford health care.” 

CHIP has a long track record of bipartisan support and positive results by providing comprehensive, affordable health coverage for 10 million children. Without Congressional action, CHIP would have expired in September and up to 74,569 Wisconsin children could have been at risk of losing coverage and middle class families could be forced to pay hundreds of more dollars for health care coverage.

For more than a decade, CHIP has served as a vital bridge between Medicaid and the private insurance market, helping millions of working families afford health insurance for their children. In Wisconsin, BadgerCare Plus serves thousands of CHIP beneficiaries, providing these children access to high-quality, affordable, pediatric health care to meet their unique needs.  More than 90% of eligible children in Wisconsin were enrolled in the program last year, which offers more comprehensive benefits than other commercial coverage in Wisconsin.