Ducey was quiet on funding request for kids health care, until he heard from the media

It took media inquiries in late October to figure out Gov. Doug Ducey's position on whether Congress should renew funding for a children's health-insurance program. The short answer: He supports kids.

But a records request by The Arizona Republic filed before talking to the governor found Ducey wasn't doing much outreach to the folks who could make a difference — at least not until reporters started asking about it.

Records show the offices of Republican U.S. Reps. Martha McSally and David Schweikert contacted Ducey's staff on Sept. 12 and Oct. 2, respectively, to find out what the funding lapse would mean. They got prompt responses from Christina Corieri, a senior policy adviser, on how many kids would be affected.

But there was no communication from Ducey to the congressional delegation on the program's future until Nov. 1, when he wrote a letter urging continuation of the Children's Health Insurance Program. It's known as KidsCare in Arizona.

Ducey's office cautions they're doing a wider search for KidsCare-related correspondence in response to The Republic's request. And, they noted back in late October, there was no need to make a big push for funding, as it was widely believed the CHIP program would have its funding restored.

Late last week, Congress approved a plan to do just that. But the money only lasts through Dec. 31.

Then it's back to the bargaining table in the new year, even as some states are sending cut-off notices to families. Arizona is exempt from that; Ducey's office identified a way to keep the Arizona program afloat into March. 

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter @maryjpitzl