WASHINGTON - In the aftermath of the worst year of job losses since the 1940s, many Americans are losing more than their paychecks, they're also losing their health insurance. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the American economy shed more than 2.6 million jobs in 2008. As economic conditions deteriorate and employers cut back on hours and benefits to survive, many workers have lost their employer-based insurance or are no longer able to afford private insurance on their own. Yesterday, Congress moved to address the growing problem by reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides health care coverage to children of families with modest means.

A report released today by Families USA estimated the bill could reduce the number of uninsured children in Indiana by half. According to the organization, more than 66,000 of Indiana's estimated 131,000 uninsured children could receive coverage - a reduction of 51%.

Nationwide, 4.1 million children who already qualify for the program would receive coverage. Currently there are 8.7 million uninsured children.

Lawmakers aim to focus resources on those who need it most by reducing federal funds to cover children from higher income families and providing states with incentives to cover the nation's lowest-income children instead.

SCHIP was created in 1997 by the Republican Congress and then-President Bill Clinton. Currently, the program provides health care coverage to 7 million children whose parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford private health insurance. Each state decides how to administer its program within established federal guidelines. Currently, 48 states provide services through a private insurance provider. The House also preserved this coverage for current enrollees.

"Insuring these kids upfront is a more cost-effective use of taxpayers' dollars than picking up the tab for expensive emergency room visits after they get sick," said Ellsworth. "This is common sense, bipartisan legislation that provides more of our youngest Americans with the health care coverage they need today and saves taxpayers money in the long-run."

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