The Atlantic

Will Congress Save the Children's Health Insurance Program?

Funding for the 20-year-old law runs out in September, and a bipartisan extension is taking a backseat to the all-consuming Republican push to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Source: Carolyn Kaster / AP

As Congress debates the future of the Affordable Care Act, will lawmakers forget about the kids?

Federal funding for the Clinton-era Children’s Health Insurance Program runs out at the end of September, and its supporters fear the bitter ideological divide around Obamacare could threaten a bipartisan consensus in support of a law that insures nearly 9 million kids nationwide. “We’re very worried, because this debate is going to drag on for some time,” said Bruce Lesley, CEO of First Focus, a group that advocates on behalf of children and families.

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