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Policy
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V.
NBCDI will support efforts in 2007 for the reauthorization of SCHIP to ensure that states can both maintain and expand health coverage for our nation's children. The SCHIP program has made great strides in covering the most vulnerable children over the past ten years. Together, Medicaid and SCHIP provide otherwise uninsured children and their families regular health exams, preventive screenings, and other essential health care services. Both programs are vital to improving children’s health care and reducing the ranks of uninsured children. New
census data show that over nine million children remain uninsured; the
majority of them are currently eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP but not
enrolled. Therefore, the level of funding and the distribution of funds to
state will be critical SCHIP re-authorization issues. These issues
directly affect efforts to reduce the number of uninsured children. As we
look to the future of health care, coverage for all children is
critical. Therefore, NBCDI is also supporting the Children's
Defense Fund's All
Healthy Children Act (HR 1688), a proposal
that focuses on ALL children and pregnant women having comprehensive
health coverage. NBCDI
recognizes that failure to cover those children who remain
uninsured and re-authorize SCHIP, will directly threaten the health care
of our children and adolescents and impede states’ ability to meet the
growing need for health coverage for low-income children and their
families.
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