The American Public Health Association (APHA) today released its recommendations for expanding health coverage to uninsured children through Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a successful federal and state joint program that is set to be reauthorized this year.
In its issue brief, APHA urges Congress to ensure that all children eligible for SCHIP and Medicaid can be covered by these programs, which collectively provide health coverage to 34 million U.S. children. During the past decade, SCHIP, together with Medicaid, has successfully reduced the rate of low-income children who are uninsured by one-third and improved their health status and outcomes. Yet 9 million -- or 12 percent -- of the nation's children remain uninsured, and 75 percent of these children are eligible for but are not enrolled in SCHIP and Medicaid.
"It is unacceptable that 9 million of our nation's children are currently uninsured, and federal funding shortfalls have prohibited more children from being enrolled in health coverage provided by the State Children's Health Insurance Program," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, APHA executive director. "We cannot afford to gamble with the health of our younger generation. By expanding the very successful SCHIP and Medicaid programs, we can ensure that children have access to the health services they need and deserve."
APHA's recommendations for SCHIP reauthorization include: