House Passes Bill to Extend CHIP Funding for 5 Years (Modern Healthcare)

— Measure would also fund federally qualified health centers

MedicalToday

The House passed a bill Friday to (CHIP) by a vote of 242-174, reported Modern Healthcare.

The bill, known as the Healthy Kids Act, extends CHIP's federal funding for another 5 years. It also funds federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) for 2 years. Funding for CHIP and the FQHCs ran out on Sept. 30.

Before the vote, House Democrats criticized several Republican proposals to pay for the extended funding, including one to redirect money from an Affordable Care Act prevention and public health fund to community health centers. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its prospects are uncertain.