TRENTON – Senate Nia H. Gill (D-Essex/Passaic) issued the following statement on the expiration of the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which provides health insurance to children across the country and in New Jersey:
“CHIP has proven successful in reducing the number of children who are uninsured nationwide and is a vital part of New Jersey’s efforts to ensure that all children have access to health care, from doctor’s and dentist visits to prescription medications and emergency room coverage.
“The expiration of this program is an astounding failure by Congress that eliminates critical health care funding for children, the effects of which will be felt in states across this country over the coming months and in New Jersey early next year.
“There is no explicable reason for this program to go unfunded and for children to be left without the needed health care that they deserve. Congress must take action immediately to reauthorize CHIP. Failing to do so would not only be irresponsible, but also inhumane.”