SCHIP Needs Your Support
Uninsured Children in the U.S. Need Their Coverage Reauthorized
More than 8 million children in the U.S. are uninsured. Studies show that when children don't have health insurance they don't access health care for preventative care.
As of July 2007, the population of the U.S. was 301,139,947. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 46.6 Million (15.9%) Americans were uninsured in 2005. That number showed an increase of 1.3 Million from 2004. More than 8 Million are children under the age of 18. This number constitutes 11.2% of all Americans and is continuing to grow each year. Many of these Americans are not below the poverty level.
Employers Can't Afford Group Health Insurance
Critics will argue that these numbers are inflated, and argue more that more than half of the uninsured make more than $50,000/ year and should be able to afford insurance. What is happening is that more and more employers are finding it impossible to offer group insurance to their employees. Although the employees make a considerable salary, many cannot afford individual health insurance policies, or do not qualify because of pre-existing health conditions.
Without Insurance Preventative Care is Forgone
The bottom line is, evidence proves that when people don't have health insurance, they don't go to doctors. Preventative care is foregone. Children without insurance don't receive vaccines and other well-baby or well-child care.
Congress Passes Two Bills
Last week, Congress passed legislation aimed at reauthorizing funding to cover uninsured children. The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)Reauthorization Act of 2007 bill passed through the Senate (by a vote of 68-31) with an additional $35 billion in new funds and would cover 4 million more children than the previous act.
The House of Representatives passed (by a vote of 224-204) its version known as CHAMP (Children's Health and Medicare Act) which included an increase in funding to provide $50 billion for uninsured children and would cover an estimated 5 million more uninsured children.
October 1 Deadline Approaching and Bush Threatens VETO
The two houses of Congress must compromise on a combined bill before October 1, 2007 when the current SCHIP funding runs out. President Bush has threatened to veto any bill that includes more than $5 billion for the SCHIP plan.
Voters Support SCHIP and Think Bush is Wrong
In July 2007, a sampling of 800 registered voters were interviewed by phone between July 19-22. The survey was conducted on behalf of Catholic Health Association of the United States by Public Opinion Strategies, Inc, of Alexandria, VA. Almost two-thirds of the voters surveyed indicated that they felt President Bush would be wrong to veto SCHIP legislation. Nine in ten of those surveyed indicated a support of this program. The SCHIP program has been in existence for 10 years now and is set to expire October 1, 2007 if funding is not reauthorized.
National Leadership Coalition Endorses SCHIP
A large coalition of national leadership organizations has united to show support for SCHIP. Among them are the AFL-CIO, SEIU, American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, Catholic Charities USA, the March of Dimes, United Jewish Communities, the National Association of Children's Hospitals, and the American Federation of Teachers. Read more for a complete list and to view their public statements regarding SCHIP.
Americans are urged to contact their legislators to voice their opinions. You can contact your legislators via Email at Congress.org.
