Press Release- Aug 22, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 22, 2007
CONTACT
Wil Alston, 303.866.6323
Gov. Ritter Joins Groups in Supporting the State Children's Health Insurance Program
Diverse advocates call on federal lawmakers to reauthorize and adequately fund
popular insurance program for Colorado's vulnerable kids
Some of the most prominent organizations and individuals in Colorado joined Gov. Bill Ritter today to urge members of Congress and the White House to support the reauthorization and expansion of programs to cover uninsured children.
At issue is the fate of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) - called Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) in Colorado. For the past 10 years, SCHIP has provided health coverage to kids whose parents do not have access to family health insurance through their job, or who cannot afford the coverage if it is offered. More than 6 million children nationwide are covered by SCHIP, making it one of the nation's few health care success stories. While the number of uninsured adults continues to climb, SCHIP programs have helped reduce the percentage of uninsured children by 24 percent over the past decade.
Congress and the White House must reauthorize SCHIP before the end of September in order for the program to be expanded. President Bush and members of Congress are currently debating budget figures for the program's future. Experts say the current funding levels - set in 1997 - are not adequate to keep up with the number of uninsured kids. Therefore it will take an increase in federal funding to cover children currently enrolled in these programs, with more money needed to cover additional uninsured children.
"Far too many kids in Colorado and across the nation are uninsured and do not receive the care they need, but things could soon get even worse," Gov. Ritter said. "SCHIP has been a successful partnership between the federal government and the state, and we want it to continue and grow, but this issue is getting bogged down by politics. Our representatives in Washington need to focus on what's best for uninsured kids in Colorado, which is to cover as many of them as possible. SCHIP has proven to work when we give it the resources needed for success."
The most recent statistics suggest more than 180,000 children are uninsured in Colorado. The vast majority have parents who work. Nationwide, 9 million children have no health insurance - more than the total number of kids enrolled in first and second grades in U.S. public schools. Most of these children would likely be eligible for low-cost or free coverage under SCHIP.
"While I may not understand everything about health insurance, I know that having CHP+ has been a lifesaver for me and my family," said Lina Ortiz, 16-year-old CHP+ member who spoke at today's press conference. "I have asthma and without CHP+ my mom and dad would have to pay $1,200 a month for my medications alone. Because we have CHP+ we pay $12 a month. I know this takes a lot of stress off of my parents and I don't feel like my asthma is a burden to my whole family."
"I don't know what I would do without CHP+ to cover doctor¿s appointments and needed prescriptions for Lina," said Katrina Ortiz, mother of two children who have been CHP+ members for the last seven years.
Today's press conference was part of Cover the Uninsured, a national effort of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, designed to focus on the health coverage needs of Americans. Similarevents are planned throughout August across the nation to raise awareness of the importance of SCHIP. In addition, organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Families USA and others are also planning or participating in activities in support of the program.
"Our research shows that uninsured kids are less likely to receive the care they need. In fact, one in three uninsured children did not see a doctor within the last year," said David Colby, Ph.D, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation spokesperson. "Children need access to health care to succeed in school, which in turn helps them succeed in life."
Other participants in today¿s press conference included Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien; former Senator Norma Anderson; Jeff Selberg, president and CEO of Exempla Healthcare and David C. Colby, Ph.D., vice president of research and evaluation for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
"Colorado's most successful effort to provide insurance to children who need it is in serious danger unless members of Congress act decisively to reauthorize and expand SCHIP," said Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien. "We've done a good job of enrolling eligible kids and making sure they can access the health care they need, but we can't do this alone. Our representatives in Congress need to speak up for Colorado kids and reauthorize and fully fund SCHIP."