CHIPP Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1901

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-06: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-04-15T08:05:40Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Children's Health Insurance Program Permanency Act (CHIPP Act) aims to make the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) a permanent federal program. CHIP provides health coverage to children in families with incomes too high for Medicaid (a joint federal-state program for low-income individuals) but too low to afford private insurance. The bill also extends related programs and demonstration projects indefinitely, ensuring stable funding and expanded access to children's health services without expiration dates.

Key Provisions

• Permanent Funding for CHIP: Allocates federal funds to states for CHIP starting in fiscal year (FY) 2029 and beyond, based on need. Removes previous limits tied to specific years (e.g., 2023 and 2029).
• Extensions of Related Programs:
• Pediatric Quality Measures Program: Provides $15 million in FY 2030 for developing and reporting quality standards in children's health care, with annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI, a measure of inflation).
• Express Lane Eligibility: Allows states to use data from other public benefit programs (like food assistance) to automatically enroll eligible children in CHIP or Medicaid, without an end date.
• Affordability Standards: Requires CHIP premiums and cost-sharing (out-of-pocket fees) to remain affordable for families, applied permanently from the Affordable Care Act's enactment.
• Qualifying States Option: Permits certain states to use CHIP funds for broader coverage, extended indefinitely after FY 2008.
• Outreach and Enrollment: Funds grants for states and community groups to educate and enroll children in CHIP/Medicaid, with $12 million in FY 2030 and CPI-adjusted increases thereafter; 10% of funds support national efforts.
• Child Enrollment Contingency Fund: Creates a reserve fund for states facing unexpected enrollment surges, available starting FY 2024 and ongoing.
• Expanded Eligibility Option: States can choose to cover additional children in CHIP or Medicaid if their family income exceeds the program's standard income limit, giving flexibility to address coverage gaps.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Removes Expiration Dates: Prior law (under the Social Security Act and Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018) set CHIP and related programs to end or revert after September 30, 2029. This bill strikes those dates, making extensions permanent.
• Eliminates Temporary Allotment Rules: Updates state funding formulas (allotments) to eliminate caps or reallotment processes tied to expiring years, simplifying administration.
• Adds Inflation Adjustments: Introduces CPI-based increases for funding in quality measures and outreach programs, which were previously fixed or temporary.
• Repeals Conforming Limits: Removes a 2018 provision that temporarily extended certain funding, aligning everything under permanent authority.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and states will have predictable, ongoing funding for CHIP administration, reducing the need for repeated congressional reauthorizations. States gain flexibility in eligibility and enrollment, potentially lowering administrative costs through streamlined processes like Express Lane.
• On Citizens: Up to 9 million children in low- to moderate-income families could maintain or gain stable health coverage, improving access to preventive care, doctor visits, and treatments. Families benefit from permanent affordability rules, avoiding premium hikes or coverage cliffs (sudden loss of benefits).
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic health policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Children and Families: Primarily low-income children (under 19) and their parents, especially in working families earning above Medicaid thresholds but below private insurance affordability.
• State Governments: As CHIP is jointly funded and administered by federal and state levels, states will manage expanded options and receive stable allotments.
• Healthcare Providers: Pediatricians, hospitals, and clinics serving children, who may see increased patient volumes and reimbursements for services.
• Federal Government: Congress and HHS, responsible for oversight, funding, and program integrity.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on child health, such as those supporting outreach, will access ongoing grants.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the Social Security Act's Title XXI (CHIP) by embedding permanence, reducing legal uncertainty from recurring expirations. The eligibility expansion respects federalism by making it a state option, avoiding mandates that could face challenges under the 10th Amendment (which reserves powers to states).
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, to promote general welfare through health programs. No apparent conflicts with equal protection or due process, as it targets vulnerable children without discrimination.
• Political: Promotes long-term stability in children's health policy, potentially bipartisan given cosponsors from both parties. Could influence budget debates by committing open-ended funding ("such sums as necessary"), raising fiscal responsibility concerns, but it avoids new entitlements by building on existing ones.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

Cosponsors (28)

Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-06: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-03-06: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-06: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Children’s Health Insurance Program Permanency Act — issued 2025-03-06 — PDF (9 pages)