CHIP Reauthorization Could Benefit Utah

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) The state of Utah could receive an additional $355 million in federal funding if Congress passes a budget resolution that dedicates another $50 billion towards the State Children's Health Insurance Program - or CHIP. That's according to a report released today by the health care advocacy group Families USA.

Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, says that money would also provide a boost to the Utah Economy. He says the increased funding would raise Utah wages by nearly $58 million and create nearly 2,000 new jobs in the state.

Currently, the federal government provides a nearly 4 to 1 match for every dollar dedicated to CHIP by state governments. The state of Utah spent just over $10 million on the CHIP program during Fiscal Year 2007. The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to finalize the CHIP Legislation on June 7th.

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