The Senate Finance Committee said last week it has agreed to extend funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program for five years, though the House has not yet crafted a bill of its own, according to The Hill.
Funding for CHIP is set to expire September 30, and Senate leaders say the funding deserves a bill of its own. They have agreed on five-year funding, though they have not yet released the text of the bill. However, House leaders want to include the funding as part of a broader legislative package.
"Bipartisan discussions continue, and I'm hopeful we can finalize an agreement that includes CHIP, community health centers and other important health care provisions and get it to the floor before the end of the fiscal year," said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J.
However, time may be running out to craft legislation and get it passed between both houses.
"It's a huge concern the House has no bill," said Bruce Lesley, president of the children’s health advocacy group First Focus. "There's no way this can ping pong [between the chambers] in the last week."
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