Jay Rockefeller: “I introduce a bill that will improve and protect health insurance for our nation's children. The Children's Health…”

“I introduce a bill that will improve and protect health insurance for our nation's children. The Children's Health Improvement and Protection Act of 2002, CHIP Act, brings us back to the basics of health care--the fundamental philosophy that no child should go without needed health care. I'm pleased to be joined by my good friends Senator Chafee and Senator Kennedy to introduce the Children's Health Insurance Improvement and Protection Act of 2002. Established in 1997 to reduce the number of uninsured children, the Children's Health Insurance Program has been an unqualified success. Last year, 4.6 million children were enrolled in CHIP and the percentage of children without health insurance has declined in recent years. In my state of West Virginia, the CHIP program provides health coverage to over 20,000 children. Health insurance coverage is key to assuring children's access to appropriate and adequate health care, including preventive services. Research demonstrates that uninsured children are more likely to lack a usual source of care, to go without needed care, and to experience worse health outcomes than children with coverage. Uninsured children who are injured are 30 percent less likely than insured children to receive medical treatment and three times more likely not to get a needed prescription. However, the continued success of the CHIP program is now in serious jeopardy.”