The National Governors Association has adopted a new policy to re-emphasize the importance of congressional reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and immediate funding for states facing shortfalls in the program.
In the policy, governors call on Congress to provide adequate, predictable funding and enhanced flexibilities for states that will allow improvements in health care and coverage for children.
“SCHIP has been a great success across the country, and it provides governors with more flexibility in the design of health benefit packages,” said Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, NGA Health and Human Services Committee vice chair. “We want to continue creating opportunities for states to improve healthcare access for uninsured children. Reauthorization of SCHIP must reflect the needs of states that manage and finance the program.”
