There are approximately 9 million uninsured children in the United States, and the number is increasing. Of those 9 million, 6 million are eligible for – but not enrolled in – the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or Medicaid.
During the ACR Board of Directors Hill visits in May, the board learned that SCHIP reauthorization, which is set to expire September 30, 2007, is a top priority of healthcare legislation, according to Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Health Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.).
SCHIP reauthorization is also a priority of the ACR, which supports the reauthorization recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, including:
- Providing $12 billion in new SCHIP and Medicaid funding annually for five years;
- Offering states new options to expand coverage;
- Extending new tools and financial support to states seeking to enroll more eligible children for coverage;
- Promoting care that fosters children’s healthy development; and
- Keeping current coverage strong.
The ACR also urges Congress to:
- Revoke the changes to Medicaid made in the 2006 DRA that created barriers to children’s coverage, benefits, and care;
- Reimburse pediatric services at 100% of Medicare rates; and
- Establish a Medicaid Payment Advisory Committee to monitor and analyze Medicaid and SCHIP payment rates.
To learn more about ACR legislative priorities, visit the Political Advocacy section of www.rheumatology.org.