CHIP: In time for the holidays

As the former chairman and CEO of Hasbro Toys, the family-run business my grandfather founded in 1923, I have spent my career bettering the lives of children.  Whether it be the development of imagination and social skills through play, or better access to quality health, investments in children are vital.  I have always loved – and lived by – the words of Danny Kaye, “The greatest natural resource that any country can have is its children.”

But right now, we are not treating children as our greatest natural resource. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), one of the most remarkable success stories we have, has been left dangling for nearly three months since it expired on Sept. 30. CHIP provides critical health care to nearly 9 million low-income children and peace of mind to their parents. It is, very simply, a no-brainer. Children who receive high quality and necessary health care grow up to be stronger, smarter, and more productive adults.

{mosads}Despite multiple opportunities and pleas from parents, children, advocates, governors, corporate leaders, and more – Congress has not yet done its job to renew funding for the CHIP program, despite the strong, bipartisan support this program has had since it began. The well-being of millions of children is increasingly at stake.  Every day there are more calls – and more pleas – for Congress to act. 

A bipartisan group of governors, led by Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Republican Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to fund CHIP and give families the “peace of mind” they need in knowing their children will have health care in the new year. 

These governors know their families need CHIP – and governors need Congress to fund CHIP now since they can’t run their programs on a promise.  States from Colorado to Virginia are sending out notices to families that CHIP may not be there for them after the holidays. There are more states by the day.  Parents are in the news with stark concerns about what will happen to their children without CHIP.  We are talking life and death.  Is anyone listening?

I want to say to members of Congress – how can you even think about going home for the holidays without taking care of these children?  Will you have the sleepless nights that these parents are having?  Will you be thinking of what you can’t afford if you lose your children’s health care?  Perhaps the rent, a car repair, or a badly needed new furnace – or your children’s Christmas gifts?

There simply is no excuse for any further delay in funding this critical program that works. Fund CHIP now, before the holidays, with a full five year renewal, or risk finding a lump of coal in your stockings for every child you will have left behind if you don’t.

I am no politician, but I know a success story when I see one, and CHIP is an American success story. For 20 years, it has worked for children and families across the country. Congress has spent enormous time working on a massive tax bill, instead of health care for children.  

Thank you for my tax rate going from 39.6 to 37 percent, but I and most others would give it up to take care of our greatest national resource and future – our children.

The holidays are, above all else, about children. I cannot remain silent without doing everything in my power to sound the alarm and tell Congress it must fund CHIP now. I call on friends, colleagues, associates, and all who care about our children to raise your voice on this issue.  

No member of Congress should leave for the holidays without taking care of our children.  It’s as simple as that. Do the right thing this holiday season. Fund CHIP now. 

Alan G. Hassenfeld is a former chairman and chief executive officer of Hasbro Toys.