Children’s Health Coverage
The likelihood that Congress this year will reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program "is better than 50-50 but no sure bet," given the challenges that Democrats face securing the $50 billion they seek to expand the program, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The NEJM reports that there is broad political support for SCHIP, although some children's health advocates believe the program should be expanded beyond health benefits. In addition, research shows that early childhood development, disease prevention and health promotion could help improve children's long-term quality of life.
According to the NEJM, a successful expansion of SCHIP would signify "a modest reversal" of traditional public policy that tends to put the needs of other age groups and sectors before the needs of children (Iglehart, New England Journal of Medicine, 7/5).