Let’s remember: 9 million kids’ health insurance is at stake in this budget fight

Editorial writer and columnist|

January 18, 2018 at 11:20 a.m. EST

9 million children and 370,000 pregnant women could see the end to their health insurance, if lawmakers don't act. (Video: Joyce Koh/The Washington Post)

If Congress fails to reach a deal to avert a government shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, federal workers won't be the only ones worrying. Parents of the 9 million children insured through the Children's Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, are panicking because funding for the program has nearly run out.

Republicans in Congress thought they had a grand solution: They pitched Democrats a deal to do a one-month extension of overall government funding and a six-year extension of CHIP money. But President Trump tweeted Thursday morning that was a bad idea. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) says he spoke with Trump and the president is now on board, but confusion abounds in the Capitol.