Campaign for Children's Health Care Kicks Off, Pushes for Expanded Coverage

A coalition of over 30 health and education organizations has launched a campaign to extend federal health coverage to all children and raise awareness about the estimated 9 million uninsured children in the US. The campaign comes as Congress prepares to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which was created in 1997 to provide coverage to over 5 million uninsured children. However, the coalition claims that an additional 9 million children remain without health insurance.

Key Takeaways:

• The Campaign for Children's Health Care aims to extend federal health coverage to all children, with an estimated 9 million currently uninsured.
• The coalition consists of over 30 health and education organizations, including Families USA, the American Public Health Association, and the American Federation of Teachers.
• Ron Pollack, vice president of Families USA, stated that the campaign wants to ensure that Congress and the president "make sure all children are covered" during the 2007 reauthorization debate.
• Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, argued that while the initial cost of extending SCHIP coverage may increase government expenditure, it will ultimately reduce the number of adults who need health care.
• Antonia Cortese, executive vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, emphasized the correlation between health and education, citing the negative impact of untreated health problems on a child's ability to concentrate and attend school.
• Rod Martin, chairman and founder of thevanguard.org, a conservative online group, criticized the coalition's refusal to consider free-market reforms, such as tax-exempt health care, which he believes would drive down health care costs and increase access.

Statistics:

• 9 million children are uninsured in the US, according to the Campaign for Children's Health Care.
• 5 million children have been covered under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) since its creation in 1997.
• The coalition estimates it could cost an additional $8 billion for Congress to maintain SCHIP coverage for the existing 5 million children.
• If coverage is extended to the 9 million children still uninsured, the cost will significantly increase.
• 71% of uninsured children in the US are from working families, according to Ron Pollack.

Sources:

• THE WASHINGTON TIMES, Josh Rutledge
• Ron Pollack, vice president of Families USA
• Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association
• Antonia Cortese, executive vice president of the American Federation of Teachers
• Rod Martin, chairman and founder of thevanguard.org