Ever heard of the SCHIP? Me neither. It stands for the "State Children's Health Insurance Program," a federal block grant to states started in 1997 that funds health care for low-income kids, specifically those whose families earn too much for Medicaid but not enough to purchase private insurance. Here in Oregon, it's part of the Oregon Health Plan. Congress is debating its reauthorization right now, so it's a perfect time to e-mail your Representatives. Why? Because 1 in 9 kids have NO health care coverage. None. Wow.
Moms Rising has made electronic activism so easy it'll take you just a second to tell your Representatives in DC that you support more funding to expand coverage, expand benefits for insured kids, and simplify enrollment. Can't argue with that. Click here to speak up now.
If you want to know more, check out what Families USA has to say - there's a great 5-page summary if you click on Oregon. If you're after something a little shorter than 5 pages (imagine!), check out what Wikipedia has to say - short and to the point!
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a national program in the United States designed for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance.
Together our voices are very strong - let's be sure the good folks in DC know how we feel about children not having health care.
Both The Oregonian and The New York Times ran editorials on this program over the weekend. NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/opinion/22sun1.html?th&emc=th. Oregonian: http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1184889322162770.xml&coll=7.
Posted by: Lisa | July 23, 2007 at 08:52 AM