US Sen. Brown seeks extended funding for Children's Health Insurance Program

BOARDMAN — Health care coverage for more than 6,000 Mahoning Valley children will be at risk if Congress fails to extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Cleveland, D-Ohio.

“Extending funding for the program, set to expire in September, is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do for children and states and the nation,” said Brown, speaking today at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley urging Congress to act on the funding issue.

“We can’t turn our backs on health care coverage that allows children to grow into health, active adults,” said the senator, who hopes for action on the funding extension this week.

Brown said CHIP, created in 1997, has provided affordable, comprehensive health care for children who might not otherwise have access to coverage.

Brown said CHIP is aimed at helping parents who have jobs that pay them too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to enable them to afford insurance.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com