Children’s Defense Fund Praises Passage of Bill to Fund Children’s Health Insurance

Calls for Stronger Action in the Next Congress

WASHINGTON, DC   Children’s Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman today praised final House and Senate passage of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) shortfall reduction bill, calling it a positive step forward in addressing the urgent need to fund health insurance for all America’s children.

“I applaud Congress for taking positive action to help children in need, but unfortunately passage of this legislation will only stave off funding shortfalls for the next few months, not solve the underlying problem of inadequate health coverage for America’s children,” said Edelman. “Our children deserve more than a band-aid.  We need a more permanent solution that provide access to urgently needed care for the more than 9 million children who remain uninsured.  I urge Congress to make health care for all children a top priority in 2007.”

Under current law, 14 states expect to run short of federal SCHIP funds as soon as January 2007.  The legislation passed over the weekend would ensure that no state would experience a shortfall before May 4, 2007.