The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) submits this written testimony for the record for the September 7, 2017 hearing before the Senate Committee on Finance entitled “The Children’s Health Insurance Program: The Path Forward.”
As the nation’s oldest and largest health policy and public health organization working with Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities, APIAHF provides a voice in the nation’s capital for AA and NHPI communities. APIAHF works toward health equity and health justice for all by influencing policy, mobilizing communities, and strengthening programs and organizations to improve the health of the over 20 million AAs and nearly 1 million NHPIs in the United States.
This hearing seeks to address continued funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). APIAHF strongly urges the Committee to follow the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) guidance and extend funding for CHIP for 5 years, through fiscal year 2022.1 Over 8.9 million children rely on CHIP, and states need the security of knowing CHIP funding will be set for the next 5 years.