January 10, 2018
Martin Luther King Jr.
Page 21
2018 special edition
Dismayed by Failure to Fund Kids’ Healthcare
by Danny Peterson
The Portland Observer
Congress needs to reautho-
rize a federal healthcare pro-
gram for children called the
Children’s Health Insurance
Program or CHIP to help low
and middle income families.
That was the rally cry last Fri-
day as a group of Oregon elect-
ed officials joined the public
for a demonstration on the
steps of the World Trade Cen-
ter in downtown Portland.
The lawmakers included Or-
egon Democrats, U.S. Sen. Jeff
Merkley, Gov. Kate Brown,
and U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenau-
er and Suzanne Bonamici.
About 9 million children
across the country, including
over 100,000 in Oregon and
over 23,000 in Portland, bene-
fit from CHIP coverage. Con-
gress’ reauthorization of the
funding for the program is now
over 100 days past due, legisla-
tion that has traditionally seen
bi-partisan support.
“As a mom and a member
of Congress, I am dismayed
Continued on Page 23
photo by Danny Peterson/The Portland Observer
Advocates rally on the steps of the World Trade Center in downtown Portland calling on Congress to fund a federal
healthcare insurance program for children in low income families.