The upcoming reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) presents a valuable opportunity to enroll the six million children in the United States who are eligible for public health insurance but not covered. One proven way to reach these children is through community health workers. Greater support of community health workers in the SCHIP reauthorization could help hundreds of thousands of children and families achieve better health.
Community health workers, also known in some communities as promotoras de salud, are trusted members of underserved communities who enroll eligible families in public health programs and educate them about health behaviors. They are community health advisors, lay health advocates, outreach educators, and peer health promoters. An estimated 121,200 community health workers nationwide go door to door and community center to community center to reach patients in ways that traditional health providers cannot. They discuss oral hygiene, nutrition, and preventing HIV infection and help people choose doctors, read prescription labels, and check blood pressure.
By removing language barriers and providing culturally appropriate health information, community health workers have a proven record of success, particularly in urban and rural underserved areas. Research has shown that families who interact with community health workers are 8 times more likely to obtain health insurance for their children and these children are more likely to remain insured continuously.
I have introduced legislation, H.R. 1968, the Community Health Workers Act, to authorize federal grants to support the activities of community health workers across the nation. States, local or tribal governments, and community-based organizations also would be eligible for grants for health education, promotion, prevention, and outreach. H.R. 1968 is supported by organizations such as the American Public Health Association, Families USA, National Council of La Raza, and National Association of Community Health Centers.
The reauthorization of SCHIP is a momentous opportunity for us to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in children’s access to care and community health workers are a critical part of the solution. I strongly believe that the reauthorization of SCHIP should include support for community health workers’ outreach and enrollment activities. By working together, we can improve outreach efforts and simplify enrollment, helping millions of unenrolled but eligible children from communities of color receive care.