SCHIP Is a Success Story (Rep. Susan Davis)

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a success story. It has made a dramatic difference in the lives of 6 million children who now receive quality health care. I was a member of the California State Assembly when SCHIP was first enacted ten years ago. Since the implementation of Healthy Families, California’s SCHIP, the number of uninsured children has decreased from 21 percent in 1998 to 14 percent in 2005.

Last week, I voted for the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act which reauthorizes SCHIP and makes improvements to the Medicare program. I supported the CHAMP Act because I believe no child in our nation should have to go without medical care. In addition to expanding health coverage to 5 million more children, the CHAMP Act makes reforms to the Medicare program which extends its solvency for three more years and prevents 10 percent reimbursement cut to physicians.