Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

1997

42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq.

📌 Link to the Text of the Act

Read the statute (42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq.)

📌 Why It Was Done

CHIP was created to expand health insurance coverage for children in families with incomes too high for Medicaid eligibility but too low to afford private insurance.

📌 Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights

Medicaid (1965) covered many low-income families, but left gaps for near-poor children. CHIP filled this gap as a joint federal–state program.

📌 Overreach or Proper Role?

Supporters argue CHIP reduced the uninsured child rate dramatically. Critics contend it increased government spending and expanded federal influence over state health policy.

📌 Who or What It Controls

•
Federal government (funds program jointly with states)
•
States (design and administer CHIP programs within federal guidelines)
•
Families and children (gain access to affordable health coverage)

📌 Key Sections / Citations

•
42 U.S.C. § 1397aa: Establishment of CHIP
•
42 U.S.C. § 1397bb: Allotments to states
•
42 U.S.C. § 1397ee: State plan requirements

📌 Recent Changes or Live Controversies

•
Funding has required periodic congressional reauthorization (e.g., major 2018 reauthorization)
•
Interaction with ACA Medicaid expansion created policy overlaps and debates
•
Ongoing discussions about expanding CHIP to cover more children and pregnant women