Front Burners

Latest Data Underscore Importance of a Strong SCHIP Reauthorization

After years of success in covering more of America’s children, new Census Bureau data show that the number of uninsured children has increased for the second consecutive year and has hit a new high, according to the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.

In 2006, the number of uninsured children under 18 rose by 611,000 to 8.7 million. 

The increase in the number of uninsured children is part of the larger trend of Americans finding it harder than ever to secure affordable coverage through their jobs. Among all Americans, the number of uninsured increased from 44.8 million to 47 million as employer-based coverage continued to decline.

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All States Potentially Harmed by New Rules

A new analysis released by Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF) found that the Bush administration’s recent directive reversing long-standing State Children’s Health Insurance Program policy (SCHIP) could affect as many as 23 states and prevent hundreds of thousands of children from keeping or obtaining SCHIP coverage.

Ultimately, all states are potentially harmed by the new rules, according to the CCF analysis. Under the new limits on SCHIP eligibility, any state that might decide in the future to exercise the option to cover uninsured children in their state above the $42,925 income level (for a family of three) will be stopped from doing so.

This reversal of long-standing SCHIP policy eliminates states’ discretion to determine the appropriate income eligibility level for children, essentially turning SCHIP into a one-size-fits-all program that will create an ever-widening affordability gap for families who have no affordable health insurance alternative, according to the CCF analysis.

To read more click here.

Voices for America’s Children, along with other national child and health advocacy groups, has been working tirelessly to encourage the U.S. Congress to re-authorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP).

S-CHIP, known in Florida as KidCare, must be re-authorized before September 30th, or the state could lose $214-million to cover uninsured children from low-income families.

Currently both the House and Senate have passed their versions of an S-CHIP re-authorization bill. Because of the huge differences between the Senate and House bills, some senators are calling for a pre-conference between House and Senate leaders to begin the conversation to reconcile the differences. Senate Republicans have stated that they would block any effort to proceed with the conference committee unless they are assured that the conference bill will look more like the Senate version. Another obstacle for S-CHIP reauthorization is the veto threat being made by President Bush.

Presentation of Income Guidelines Disputed

A Bush administration official has gone on record as portraying that children whose parents earn $83,000 could be eligible to receive S-CHIP benefits under the plan being proposed by Congress, but fails to disclose that the child would have to live in a FAMILY OF SIX and that the average income, even at the higher 300 percent poverty rate would be, $52,000 for a family of three. The other important detail not mentioned, although the bills do increase the percentage of poverty a family can achieve and still be eligible for S-CHIP, is that the state will decide if it will increase coverage or remain at the same level. Currently, Florida KidCare is eligible to families at 200 percent of the poverty line, which is $35,000 for a family of three.

A letter in response urged Governor Crist to step forward and support re-authorization of S-CHIP and encouraged President Bush not to veto this important program. The letter was published in the Orlando Sentinel by Children’s Campaign Board member Linda Sutherland.  To read the full op-ed, click here

Advocates around the state sent a clear message with over 620 letters from the Children’s Campaign website encouraging the Governor, House Speaker and Senate President and selected members to support SCHIP and to speak out against the threaten Presidential veto.

Thanks in part to the passion of the advocates, Governor Crist responded with a statement to those who had sent him an email.  Key points made by the Governor include:

• His support of reauthorization of the federal SCHIP program
• States need flexibility to dispense SCHIP funding over multiple years;
• Federal SCHIP funding should be based on projected spending and allow for population growth, and;
• States need the flexibility and funding to conduct additional outreach activities.

The Governor did not address the Presidential veto issue in his response.

CFO Sink, DCF Secretary Butterworth, DOH Secretary Agwunobi, AWI Director Brown, along with two parents receiving KidCare kicked off a coordinated effort to encourage enrollment by eligible children.

“The cost of letting children go uninsured is simply too high, and I am pleased to be a part of this effort to help thousands more children receive health insurance,” said Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink (D).  She focused on the efforts to enroll children in the 33,000 open slots, with the hope that a large response will encourage the Florida Legislature to make the necessary changes to KidCare.

Secretary Bob Butterworth reported that the Department of Children and Families has identified over 54,000 clients who would be eligible for KidCare and they are reaching out to them to encourage participation.

The press conference was especially timely in that it took place soon after federal legislation to re-authorize S-CHIP passed through their respective chambers.

For more information about the contents of the Children's Health Front Burner, contact Amanda Ostrander, Deputy Director of Communications, Children’s Campaign, Inc., at aostrander@iamforkids.org