Hundreds of healthcare groups are fiercely pushing back against President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to previously approved spending, including a massive chunk that funds health coverage for children.
In a letter (PDF) to Congress, 511 national, state and local groups—including many with ties to the healthcare industry—voiced their opposition to the White House's proposed rescissions package, which includes $7 billion in cuts to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Nearly $2 billion would come from the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund, which assists states during surges in enrollment, and more than $5 billion from the Children's Health Insurance fund.
The cuts are intended to reduce the budget deficit. The White House has defended the cuts, claiming it would not harm access to care for children.
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The groups, including America’s Essential Hospitals, Children's Defense Fund and Planned Parenthood, disagree.
"The nine million children and families who depend on CHIP have already faced months of uncertainty, when its funding expired before Congress took long-overdue action to extend CHIP funding for ten years," they wrote to lawmakers. "After breathing a short sigh of relief, however, the long-term stability and protection these families fought to ensure is once again in jeopardy."
Lawmakers have 45 days to officially consider the cuts when the proposal arrives on Capitol Hill.