Activists, legislators fight for SCHIP as deadline nears
Of the St. Louis American
Some of the most prominent organizations and officials in Missouri and Washington, D.C. are urging Congress and the White House to support the reauthorization and funding of a federal program designed for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance.
At issue is the fate of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) – known as MC+ for Kids in Missouri.
More than 6 million children nationwide and nearly 107,000 in Missouri are covered by SCHIP, making it one of the nation’s few health care success stories. While the number of uninsured adults continues to climb, SCHIP programs have helped to reduce the percentage of uninsured children by 24 percent over the past decade.
Congress must reauthorize SCHIP before the end of September in order for the program to continue.
Experts say the current funding levels – set in 1997 – are not adequate to keep up with the number of uninsured children, so it will take an increase in federal funding to cover children currently enrolled in these programs, with more money needed to cover additional uninsured children.
U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) called on Congress to take action on a national children’s health insurance bill or risk the health and welfare of the most innocent Americans.
“SCHIP will significantly reduce the number of uninsured children, many of whom are African American, Latino or other racial or ethnic minorities,” Clay said.
“We believe that every child in America has the same right to receive quality healthcare. And this program will help reduce the racial and ethnic disparities in children’s health that leave far too many of our children to suffer from preventable and treatable illnesses.”
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) echoed those thoughts, telling the American Wednesday that action must be taken immediately.
“It’s bad enough that over 45 million Americans have no health care. It would be much worse to abandon this cost-effective way to get health care to the most vulnerable children in America.” Sen. McCaskill said.
McCaskill was one of 44 U.S. senators who sent a letter to President Bush this week asking him to rescind new standards imposed on SCHIP last month that limit eligibility to the program. U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) was one of six Republican signatories to the letter.
Bush has threatened to veto a bill that expands funding for and access to SCHIP.
U.S. Rep. Carnahan (D-St. Louis) also has worked actively to pass SCHIP legislation.
The most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau suggest nearly 127,000 children are uninsured in Missouri. The vast majority have parents who work. Nationwide, more than 9 million children have no health insurance – more than the total number of kids enrolled in first and second grades in U.S. public schools. Most of these children would likely be eligible for
low-cost or free coverage under SCHIP.
“America’s future is in the hands of our children. Their ability to achieve and succeed in life is greatly influenced by their health,” said Ted Groshong, M.D., chairman, Department of Child Health, Pediatric Nephrology at the University of Missouri Health Care.
“Every day I see first-hand the tremendous impact SCHIP makes. The investment we make in SCHIP today will be paid back many times over in a healthier future for our kids.”
Other participants in last week’s press conference included Beth Griffin, executive director for Citizens for Missouri’s Children, and Lynette Nickleberry, graduate student at the University of Missouri-Columbia and mother of two children enrolled in SCHIP.
“My sons, who are eight and 14 years old, are able to receive the preventive care and prescriptions they need because they are enrolled in MC+ for Kids,” said Lynette Nickleberry, a graduate student at the University of Missouri Columbia and a working parent.
“My younger son has medical conditions that require ongoing treatment, medication and monitoring. Thanks to SCHIP, he is a normal, active child.”
“Polls show that most Americans support the continuation and expansion of SCHIP,” said Beth Griffin, executive director of Citizens for Missouri’s Children. “Children need access to health care in order to succeed in school, which in turn helps them succeed in life.”
Clay champions CHAMP
Clay also praised the recent passage of the CHAMP act (Children’s Health & Medicare Protection Act of 2007), a key priority for the Congressional Black Caucus.
He said it will guarantee continued healthcare coverage to 106,600 young people who are currently enrolled in the SCHIP program and will extend health care coverage to 86,000 children from low-income families who are currently uninsured.
Clay said, “The new funding will also help provide vital screening and prevention services that help children stay healthy and grow up to become productive adults.”