Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), and Gordon Smith (R-OR) joined the Campaign for Children’s Health Care and an alliance of national hospital and health care associations at a National Town Hall Meeting on Children’s Health Coverage today to highlight the fact that there are still more than 9 million uninsured children in the United States who need health coverage. Participants at the Town Hall Meeting also urged Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
Senators Baucus, Hatch, Rockefeller, and Smith are long-time supporters of the 1997 SCHIP legislation, a joint state-federal effort to provide health coverage for children whose parents do not have insurance. Currently, SCHIP provides health insurance to more than 4 million children.
"SCHIP has played a critical role getting health care to children in my home state of Montana and across the country," Senator Baucus said today. "As Democrats and Republicans work together to renew SCHIP this year, we can build on the success of this program and help more of the children who are without health care coverage today. Dialogues like the one held today will help us get there,” Baucus continued.
"Our goal when we passed CHIP was to cover America's children who had no health insurance coverage. We've gone a long way in meeting that goal, but we are clearly not there yet. We are working together to remove the barriers that have prevented the millions of children eligible for CHIP from being covered," Senator Hatch stated.
"The reauthorization of CHIP is a priority in Congress this year. And it is time for us to finally take the next big step toward providing every American child with access to health insurance. In the 10 years since we enacted it, the program has insured millions of children, and has been enormously important in West Virginia. But we cannot stop there, and I am hopeful that we can work together on behalf of all of our nation's children," said Senator Rockefeller.
"The Medicaid and SCHIP programs are a vital component to our nation's health care safety-net. As we move into a new Congress, I believe we have a unique opportunity to put politics aside and take a fresh look at these programs and recommit the government to finding innovative ways to make both of them strong and sustainable," Senator Smith added.
Uninsured children are 10 times more likely to have an unmet health care need than insured children, according to an August 2005 Covering Kids and Families report. SCHIP, enacted in 1997, is a critical source of health insurance coverage for more than 4 million children annually. In 2007, Congress will consider re-authorizing the SCHIP program for the first time, providing an historic opportunity to secure additional funding to enroll more eligible children. It also provides an opportunity to discuss other ways to expand coverage for children.
Following the National Town Hall Meeting on Children’s Health Coverage at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., regional coalitions held more than 35 local Town Hall Meetings at children’s and Catholic hospitals across the country to urge supporters to call on Congress to fully fund SCHIP, to support state and federal efforts to provide insurance coverage for more children not already covered by Medicaid or SCHIP, and to protect Medicaid coverage for children. Speakers at the local Town Halls credited Medicaid and SCHIP as crucial programs that provide access to health care for millions of low-income children and families throughout the country. Attendees of the Town Halls also joined millions of Americans demanding action on children’s health insurance by signing an online petition.
The Campaign for Children’s Health Care is a national, diverse group of organizations representing health care providers, educators, parents, and advocates. The campaign is dedicated to making high-quality, affordable health insurance coverage for all of America's children a top national priority, and its members recognize that SCHIP, along with Medicaid, helps achieve that goal. Leaders of the partner organizations have issued the following statements urging Congress to reauthorize SCHIP:
“As a nation, we have a broader social responsibility to provide health coverage to children not only in emergency situations but also on a preventative basis. We have a social responsibility to see that children have the best possible start in life through improved health care. Hospitals around the country provide numerous services to help kids lead healthy lives. Healthier, stronger families lead to healthier communities, and that helps all of us.” Richard Umbdenstock, President of American Hospital Association
“For Americans, it is a tragedy to have so many children who lack health care coverage. We must work together to make sure that all children have access to affordable, quality health care. They are our future. The AAMC, representing the nation’s medical schools and teaching hospitals, urges policymakers and healthcare leaders to take meaningful steps toward a solution. Today’s town hall meeting is an important step in the national dialogue to bring attention to the crisis of uninsured children.” Dr. Darrell G. Kirch, President of the Association of American Medical Colleges
"We have no greater priority in this nation than providing a healthy life for our children. And yet, millions go without health insurance and needed medical care every day. Congress and the administration have the opportunity to achieve something great by ensuring that all our children have the health care coverage they need.” Sister Carol Keehan, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States
"It is high time that the 9 million uninsured children in this country get health care coverage. Lack of health care impedes their ability to perform well at school, lead healthy active lives, and the opportunity to be productive citizens. Children deserve to be healthy, and it is our responsibility to work toward that goal." Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA
“Every day, hospital emergency rooms across the country treat thousands of children whose health deteriorated because they didn’t have coverage and couldn’t get timely care. Coverage matters, which is why it’s critical for Congress to sustain if not expand SCHIP.” Chip Kahn, President of the Federation of American Hospitals.
“Congress must act quickly to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program while protecting Medicaid coverage for children. One in three children relies on these programs to access the preventive and primary health care services as well as all medically necessary care that they need to stay healthy and ready to learn in school.” Lawrence A. McAndrews, President and CEO of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals
"NAPH is a proud sponsor of the Campaign for Children's Health Care. With more than nine million children lacking health insurance in the U.S., policymakers must build on the successes of Medicaid and SCHIP to extend access and coverage to all who need it." Larry S. Gage, President of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems.
