Getting aboard SCHIP

The legislation -- and the funding -- of the State Children's Health Insurance Program needs to be high on the nation's agenda. And doctors can do their part, too.

Editorial. July 2, 2007.

Getting the money to enroll children in SCHIP is important -- and so is making sure that every child who is eligible gets coverage.

The State Children's Health Insurance Program, a federal and state effort that provides health coverage to more than 6 million children, is due to expire on Sept. 30. Congress and President Bush both favor extending the life of the 10-year-old program, even if right now they can't agree on what the income threshold should be on who should be covered and whether the 600,000 adults in SCHIP can stay in it. (AMA delegates also are slated to discuss SCHIP at their Annual Meeting, which starts after we go to press.)

Eventually there will be an agreement defining who is eligible under SCHIP. Then, as is now the case, it's important to make sure that all of those who are defined as eligible get covered.

For all the success in SCHIP in covering low-income children -- and some adults -- who are not Medicaid-eligible, more than 2 million uninsured children currently eligible for the program are not enrolled. It is time to fix the process in SCHIP enrollment. Congress must also provide the funding to make sure all those enrolled get coverage.

Applying for SCHIP can be confusing for families, but there is help. They can call a Dept. of Human Health Services toll-free phone number -- 877-KIDS-NOW -- or go to a Web site (www.insurekidsnow.gov) that will refer them to whichever agency in their home state arranges coverage. Once families take that step, they have to find out if they're eligible for coverage.