Access to health coverage

• We advocate for access to health care coverage.
• One in five women of childbearing age is uninsured.
• More than 8 million children under age 19 are uninsured.

*tp testMarch of Dimes work in CHIP reauthorization 2009:head Access to health coverage:pagetitle March of Dimes work in CHIP reauthorization 2009:metatitle*
On February 4, 2009, President Obama signed the Childrenís Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA).  This followed passage of the bill by the House of Representatives (vote of 290 - 135) and the Senate (vote of 66 to 32).  CHIPRA has several provisions long championed by the March of Dimes, including expanding access to coverage for millions of uninsured children and pregnant women.  

March of Dimes volunteers from across the country contacted their elected representatives to ask them for their support of the legislation.  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi invited a few of March of Dimes volunteers to represent the millions of families who have relied upon CHIP or Medicaid. Among them were Heather Kane and the children of Kathy Paz, who had shared her story at a press event in January.

March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer Howse was at the White House when President Obama signed the legislation into law, celebrating an important victory for the nation's children and pregnant women.

Why is health insurance important?
The March of Dimes supports access to health coverage for all women of childbearing age, infants and children.  That's why the March of Dimes has championed reauthorizing and strengthening the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) since 2007.

To protect children's access to health care as we transition to a reformed health system, CHIP will increase federal support so that states have the resources they need to enroll eligible uninsured children; cover eligible pregnant women without needing a federal waiver; enroll legal immigrant children and pregnant women if they meet the program's criteria; and develop and measure the quality of pediatric care.

On February 4, 2009, President Obama signed the Childrenís Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA).  This followed passage of the bill by the House of Representatives (vote of 290 - 135) and the Senate (vote of 66 to 32).  CHIPRA has several provisions long championed by the March of Dimes, including expanding access to coverage for millions of uninsured children and pregnant women.  

March of Dimes volunteers from across the country contacted their elected representatives to ask them for their support of the legislation.  Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi invited a few of March of Dimes volunteers to represent the millions of families who have relied upon CHIP or Medicaid. Among them were Heather Kane and the children of Kathy Paz, who had shared her story at a press event in January.

March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer Howse was at the White House when President Obama signed the legislation into law, celebrating an important victory for the nation's children and pregnant women.

Why is health insurance important?
The March of Dimes supports access to health coverage for all women of childbearing age, infants and children.  That's why the March of Dimes has championed reauthorizing and strengthening the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) since 2007.

To protect children's access to health care as we transition to a reformed health system, CHIP will increase federal support so that states have the resources they need to enroll eligible uninsured children; cover eligible pregnant women without needing a federal waiver; enroll legal immigrant children and pregnant women if they meet the program's criteria; and develop and measure the quality of pediatric care.