AMA to Pittsburgh Tribune: Caring for more kids

Pittsburgh Tribune
Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Many American children face unnecessary hardship as a result of cracks in the U.S. health care system ("Close gaps in children's health care," by Clarence Page, Opinion and Commentary, May 20 and PghTrib.com).

Despite the fact that the U.S. is a world leader in medical advances, these treatments are out of reach for millions of the nation's children and adults simply because they lack health insurance.

This year Congress will reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a federal-state program that currently provides health care to more than 6 million children. Sadly, more than 2 million uninsured children are eligible for the program, but aren't currently enrolled.

It's time to fix the enrollment process to ensure that lower-income children who qualify for SCHIP can get the health care they need. Congress must also provide the funds needed to support this pending increase in enrollment.

SCHIP reauthorization is a priority for the American Medical Association this year and an integral component of our proposal to cover the uninsured. America's children are our future, and without proper health care they are not given a fair chance to succeed.
Let's work toward feasible solutions to get more kids covered.

Sincerely,

William G. Plested, MD
President, American Medical Association