St Paul (KROC AM News) -  Minnesota’s recent budget concerns have received some assistance from Congress.

When Congress failed to provide new funding for a public health program last year, the state government was stuck with the bill. The extra spending led to a projected budget shortfall of nearly $200-million. But Congress on Monday approved new funding for the program known as CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program).

State officials say the program provides health care coverage to more than 125,000 Minnesota children and low-income families.

Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans says the $178 million gap in Minnesota’s recent budget forecast will be addressed by the additional federal CHIP funding. He says additional detail on the impact of CHIP funding for Minnesota’s fiscal outlook will be included in the upcoming February budget and economic forecast.

Get local and national news on the go.  Download our News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM App

http://krocam.com/app/ – available on Apple and Android devices.

More From KROC-AM