Action Center    SCHIP

SCHIP

Action
In many states, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is facing a funding shortfall – putting half a million children at risk of losing this vital coverage.  Urge your Senators and Representatives to protect and strengthen SCHIP. The states projected by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities to have insufficient federal funding to sustain their current SCHIP programs include: Alaska, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island and South Dakota.  If you live in one of these states, it is particularly important that you act now.  You can contact your federal elected representatives through the Capitol Switchboard on 202-224-3121.

Background
SCHIP was created in 1997 to reduce the number of uninsured children in the United States.  It has been a truly successful federal-state partnership, reducing the number of uninsured low-income children by one-fourth since its enactment. However, in fiscal year 2007, children’s health insurance programs in 17 states will face federal funding shortfalls adding up to around $800 million. The SCHIP program is a block grant with capped federal funding: states do not receive more federal money if more children need to use the program. The Congressional Research Service and the Department of Health and Human Services have both recognized the shortfall but Congress is yet to act.

Access to health care for low income families, including grandfamilies, is a continuing concern.  There are 46.6 million uninsured individuals in the United States, including more than 9 million children.  While there has been progress in expanding coverage for children, nearly six million uninsured children are eligible for but not enrolled in SCHIP or Medicaid. 

Connect
Generations United has joined the Campaign for Children’s Health care.  You can get more information on the campaign website.

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