Oregon Governor Kate Brown says Congress needs to help the nation’s 9 million children, and fast.
In Eugene today, Brown said the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is due to lose its funding later this month. She says lawmakers in Washington need to reauthorize funding for a program that helps 1 out of 10 children in Oregon alone.
“My concern is that right now they’re focused on making sure that they prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected," Governor Brown tells KLCC.
"In Oregon, our priority is the people, not the powerful. And we’re working hard to make sure that all of our children in the state have access to health care.
"It’s time for Congress to get off their duffs and actually fund the program.”
Brown says families depend on chip funding to access doctors, prescription medicines, and treatments.
Congressional newspaper The Hillreports that House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden of Oregon says CHIP funding needs to be part of a short-term funding bill expected this month.
Copyright 2017, KLCC.