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This Speakout has not been edited.

By Jody Soper

Imagine that every pregnant woman and infant in the U.S. has health insurance that allows them to get the health care they need. Unlikely? Actually, this year we have an excellent opportunity to make great progress in reaching this goal.

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provides medical insurance coverage to those who are not eligible for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. SCHIP is jointly financed by the Federal and State governments and administered by individual states. In Colorado, the SCHIP program is called CHP+.

In my personal life and as a March of Dimes volunteer, I know infants and children, born prematurely. Some of these infants have significant, costly and life-long healthcare needs. Many circumstances cause families, through with no fault of their own, to be without adequate insurance. Too often mothers, their babies and children struggle with severe medical needs and their families have no payment mechanism. The economic and emotional burden for them is overwhelming; rippling throughout our communities in the form of lost productivity and medical complication expenses.

Today, SCHIP insures more than 6 million children, but 9 million children remain uninsured, with nearly two million (19%) of them eligible for SCHIP. In Colorado, 59,000 children rely on SCHIP for their health coverage and 180,000 remain uninsured.

First, Congress should provide enough funding to enable states to make significant gains in enrolling children who are eligible for SCHIP. Lack of health insurance can mean delay or denial of needed medical services.

Second, states should be given the option to enroll pregnant women who meet the program’s income guidelines. Numerous studies have shown that health insurance coverage is essential for access to maternity care critical to the health of both mother and baby.

Third, to improve program accountability to parents and policy makers, the SCHIP bill should also update guidelines for monitoring and reporting on the quality of pediatric services provided to children enrolled in the program.

When Congress created SCHIP, it allowed states limited options to partner SCHIP with private insurance. With 10 years experience on which to draw, Congress should examine what has worked well at the state level and consider improvements to the public-private model that increase program efficiency while ensuring children comprehensive, affordable benefits.

Our U.S. senators and representatives should support extending this successful program, and we at the March of Dimes hope members of Congress will continue to embrace the recommendations listed above. Millions of families rely on SCHIP for their children’s health insurance, the program should be reauthorized and strengthened for them and for the children who are eligible, but remain uninsured. Imagine that as reality, bringing access to health care and peace of mind to families across Colorado.

Jody Soper is a board member of the Colorado Chapter of the March of Dimes.