“On behalf of all parents, joint and single, I pray that the CHIP program remains a source of support for our children.” ~ Tania

Right now, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers millions of children across the United States—bringing the uninsured rate of children down by 50% (from 14% to 7%) since its beginnings. That’s why CHIP needs to be a top priority for Congressional leadership, because it helps protect the health and financial well being of so many families.

People like Tania in Maryland, whose children are covered and receive vital care because of MCHP (the MD state CHIP program), “I’ve been blessed to receive free coverage when my income was extremely low and have also been allowed to pay a much smaller premium when blessed with additional income…the CHIP program has been lifesaving. Three of my children are asthmatic and also wear glasses; basic healthcare is costly enough but when you combine that with additional medical concerns the cost can become overwhelming.”

Tania is a teacher and single parent who, despite having a good job, can’t afford her employer’s healthcare plan. When asked about the how not having MCHIP would financially impact her family, Tania responded: “...I couldn't afford it, even with 2 additional part-time jobs I barely make ends meet…If it weren’t for CHIP my children would be uninsured and we would drown financially.”

Tania isn’t alone. MomsRising has received hundreds of stories from parents all over the United States about how the Children’s Health Insurance Program is keeping them safe from massive medical debt.

Three of Tania’s four children have asthma, a condition that over half (59%) of kids in the United States suffers from in their youth. Asthma can be managed with proper care, and because children’s medical care costs are relatively low cost compared to adult care, health coverage for kids like Tania’s in the long run saves the state money in lost education, trips to the emergency rooms, and more. These savings and the impact of this coverage is amplified when you think of children who have more than one condition to maintain, like Tania’s daughter:

“My youngest daughter has polycystic ovaries and is borderline diabetic - we're in the hospital or doctor's office on a consistent basis dealing with one issue or another.  Without the support of MCHIP I would be in over my head with medical expenses. MCHIP has given her a better quality of life because we have the ability to have her health concerns addressed even when I don't always have the funds on hand.”

Affordable, quality health insurance is critical for Tania’s kids and for the millions of children currently covered under CHIP. Together, our voices our powerful and can make all the difference. Help us make sure families like these continue to have the access to the Children’s Health Insurance Program by signing here to urge Congress to protect CHIP.