WASHINGTON, D.C., JANUARY 13, 2009 – Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, issued the following statement:
“This week the U.S. Congress is working to pass the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA). Anything short of swift and decisive action puts millions of children at risk of losing their health insurance when the program expires in two months.
“We all know health insurance matters; no one knows how much it matters until they find themselves without it and needing access to medical care whether they are pregnant or they have children who are critically ill.
“This legislation, which the Foundation helped develop, should help to maintain coverage for currently enrolled children and pregnant women and give states the resources necessary to strengthen their programs so that millions more of those who are uninsured and meet the income guidelines, can get heath coverage. Three provisions championed by the March of Dimes are especially important:
• The new state option to cover income eligible pregnant women without having to get a federal waiver;
• A requirement that pediatric quality measures be developed and disseminated so that states can promote improvements in the care children receive;
• A state option to enroll legal immigrant children and pregnant women who meet the program’s income guidelines.
“We applaud the strong bipartisan effort in Congress to move this bill forward and make it one of the first bills delivered to the White House after January 20. As I mentioned in my 2007 Radio Address, the March of Dimes does not consider children's health a partisan issue - it's every family's issue - and worry. At a time when economic woes and job losses have put health coverage at risk, this bill is more necessary than ever. That’s what moms have told us in Iowa and Oregon, and we know their stories can be found several times over in other parts of the country as well.
“CHIPRA is a critically important first step toward ensuring that millions of low income pregnant women and children have the health coverage they need. Let’s do what it takes to get it done to measurably improve access to comprehensive and affordable health coverage for all women of childbearing age, infants and children.”
To hear Dr. Howse’s radio address on CHIPRA, click here.
For additional information, including the personal stories of four moms who have relied on Medicaid, click here.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose volunteers and staff work to improve the health of infants and children by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
