| Funding for the
State’s Children’s Health Insurance – At Risk— 
Amy Goodberg, brings her son to Waterville’s two cent bridge and
makes a wish for a good job. SCHIPS would provide healthcare for Kealin.
Ramona du Houx
U.S.
Representatives Tom Allen and Mike Michaud recently voted for The Children’s Health
and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act, legislation to reauthorize and improve the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and strengthen the Medicare program.
Funding for
SCHIP expires September 30, unless Congress completes its work on the bill and the
president signs it into law. Allen stated that Maine has developed one of the best
SCHIP programs in the nation. The bill supports Maine’s efforts to streamline
the enrollment process and encourages other states to develop initiatives to cover
additional eligible children.
"There are
11 million reasons to vote for this bill, and each is a child in a working family, who
will grow up healthier and stronger as a result of its passage," said Rep.
Allen. "Every dollar we invest in the SCHIP program saves many more dollars over
time. Children with healthcare coverage are less likely to require more expensive
health care later in life, far more likely to be better achievers in school, and much
better prepared to become productive adults. I am proud to have been a sponsor of the
legislation creating this very successful program that provides health care to ten million
children. This bill will cover an additional five million kids who qualify for SCHIP
but currently lack coverage. In Maine it will continue the existing coverage for
15,000 kids and fund coverage for an additional 13,000."
"Thirty-four
percent of children in Maine are covered by Medicaid or SCHIP. Together, these programs
ensure that otherwise uninsured children have access to regular health exams, preventative
screenings, and other essential healthcare services," said Rep. Michaud.
The governor
said that without adequate funding for this valuable federal program, we are in danger of
going backward in coverage.
"There is
nothing more important than protecting the health and welfare of the people of
Maine," said Governor Baldacci. "Since becoming law ten years ago, SCHIP has
made a difference in millions of children’s lives across the country and has been an
important tool in Maine to expand health coverage. We are proud that the number of
uninsured children in our state is below the national average. But we can do better
on our goal making Maine the healthiest state in the nation."
Please call
your State Senator and Reps. to show your support for the program.
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