Providing America’s Children Access to Health Care
By Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
January 26, 2009

I believe the strength of our communities in South Dakota depends on the health of our people. Unfortunately, quality, affordable care remains out of reach for far too many South Dakotans. Ensuring every American has access to quality, affordable health care has never been more important. When it comes to health care, covering low-income uninsured children should be among our highest priorities. When children don’t have health care coverage, they don’t get the preventive care they need, and will likely receive care in the more costly environment of emergency rooms.

Given the critical importance of increasing the ability of Americans to access quality health care, I was proud once again to join with a large and bipartisan House majority of 289 members - including 40 Republicans - in voting for a bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP. Created in 1997, SCHIP provides health coverage to American children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid, but don’t earn enough to afford private insurance. Although similar bipartisan legislation failed to overcome a presidential veto in the 110th Congress, I’m pleased with the quick action by the new Congress to address this critical need, and I’m hopeful that SCHIP Reauthorization will be one of the first pieces of legislation signed by President Obama.

Nationwide, the bill recently passed in the House reauthorizes SCHIP for more than 7 million children currently covered and includes 4 million more low-income children who would otherwise have no health insurance. In South Dakota, approximately 11,000 children are enrolled in SCHIP, and although estimates vary, by one estimate this bill would lead to coverage for approximately 9,000 more uninsured children in South Dakota. If the SCHIP Reauthorization receives Senate approval and the President’s signature, it would ensure coverage for 11 million uninsured children across the country.

In addition to reaching a greater number of eligible children under SCHIP, this reauthorization includes several other improvements of the program. To provide for greater enrollment of eligible children, the bill provides states with additional resources to conduct needed outreach. Also included are provisions to provide children enrolled in SCHIP with access to quality dental and mental health care. By creating an initiative on pediatric health quality measures, the bill also devotes new resources to ensuring kids are receiving quality care. I’m pleased the bill has earned the endorsement of organizations including the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Business Roundtable, and AARP.

Lastly, I’m proud to say that the bill is completely “revenue neutral” – meaning that the bill adheres to House pay-as-you-go rules and doesn’t add to the national deficit.

I’m confident that bipartisan efforts will continue in Congress to enhance the SCHIP program and provide health insurance to the low-income children across the nation who have no health insurance. Covering more kids in South Dakota with adequate health insurance is the right thing to do, and I will continue working toward that goal.