Written by: Jim Hansen
Tuesday, September 04, 2007

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) expires in 26 days. All four of Idaho's members of Congress voted against bills reauthorizing it. The Bush Administration has threatened to veto any bill that increases the number of children covered by SCHIP. He won't if enough Republican members of Congress realize that the scandal of uninsured kids is a heck of a lot worse than the scandal that flooded the airwaves last week.

During the August recess, members of Congress went to political fundraisers, but I bet they did not get any campaign contributions from families with uninsured kids. New census data shows that approximately 2 million more people were uninsured in 2006 than in 2005, including 700,000 children. Look a little deeper in the data and you find a disproportionate percentage of people in rural areas are uninsured. That means Idaho communities.

There are many reasons why SCHIP has worked over the past 10 years to save the lives of Idaho children. Research reveals that families forego regular checkups when they don't have insurance. Again, families in rural areas face even tougher choices when they lack insurance. Too often this leads to needless suffering from avoidable complications and costly trips to the emergency room that strain the health care system even more. A recent study by Families USA found that uninsured children admitted to the hospital for injuries were twice as likely to die as their insured counterparts.

For every person you talked to about the Craig scandal last week, talk to someone about the scandal that Idaho's members of Congress are getting away with voting against insurance for poor kids. There are some great talking points generated by Families USA research to fuel your passion, but your common sense is what matters most. Tell your friends to join you in contacting Craig, Crapo, Simpson and Sali THIS WEEK. And the moment the new senator is nominated by Governor Otter, call him/her too.

Every time you see kids waiting for a bus, or crossing the street to school ask yourself if maybe that child may be uninsured. Put Sali, Simpson, Crapo and Craig's office on your speed dial: Sen. Crapo (208-334-1776) Sen Craig (208-342-7985) Rep. Sali (208-336-9831) Rep. Simpson (208-334-1953).

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