Senators Approve SCHIP

Seattle – The bill known as SCHIP, (State Children’s Health Insurance Program,) was passed by the House of Representatives on January 14, 2009. Senators from Colorado approved a resolution on January 16, 2009, asking congress to reauthorize a program that helps states provide health insurance to needy children. That resolution now moves to the Colorado House of Representatives for approval.

In 2008, Bush vetoed legislation to expand SCHIP because he felt it could be the start of socialized medicine in the country. The House however voted to expand the program to cover four million children who are not covered by health insurance. The bill is expected to move through the senate quickly so the new president can sign it right after taking office. That’s the first step for Obama to make good on his pledge to cover all Americans.

SCHIP allows states to side step the five year waiting time for children of legal immigrants to get coverage. It also provides one hundred million dollars in grants so states can simplify the process of enrollment in the program. The process of assisting children in need has been plagued with long waiting periods and redundant document requirements. It appears these barriers have discouraged people to enroll or stay enrolled in the program. When passed, this bill will provide thirty-one billion dollars more to expand health coverage to 11 million children over the next four and a half years.

But once the bill is signed by Obama, it will still mean that there are over five million kids who will still need coverage. These kids are in families that make too much money to qualify for the SCHIP coverage. Too much money in most states means forty thousand dollars for a family of four. Studies have shown that thirty percent of the uninsured kids come from these families.

As the economy goes through this economic transition some people could qualify for SCHIP that never could before, because of losing their jobs and their health insurance coverage. That’s another reason why Obama will sign the bill quickly.

Obama’s statement after the House vote was announced was: “In this moment of crisis, ensuring that every child in America has access to affordable healthcare is not just good economic policy but a moral obligation we hold as parents and citizens.” So the question is, how will we achieve that goal? Some reports say that a new stimulus plan may provide some assistance that moves us closer to that goal, but most agree that a mandate stating that all children must be covered by affordable health insurance is the only solution.

Those who oppose SCHIP’s expansion say that the plan erodes the private insurance market, and employers will be less willing to cover employee’s kids on company policies. They also feel like providing insurance coverage is the responsibility of the parents. That argument doesn’t hold much water these days. If we can afford to bail out our greedy financial system, we certainly can afford to protect the lives of our future political leaders.