CMA Applauds Congressional Vote On Health Care Funding For Children, Calls Passage A First Step Toward True Reform

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 14 Jan 2009 - 6:00 PST

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The California Medical Association on Tuesday endorsed federal legislation extending health care coverage for millions of poor and near-poor children.

Passage of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which funds the Healthy Families program in California, is essential to ensure that youngsters get the medical attention they deserve, regardless of their families' economic circumstances. A vote on the measure is expected this week in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Making sure that children remain healthy and see a doctor when necessary helps protect California's public health, emergency rooms and classroom efforts. The safety net program is all the more important as job losses mount and the ranks of uninsured swell.

"California's physicians are encouraged that Congress and the White House recognize that providing all kids access to a doctor should be a top national priority," said Dr. Dev A. GnanaDev, CMA president. "There is a lot of talk in Washington and Sacramento about broad health care reform. CMA is firmly committed to achieving the goal of universal health care, and the logical first step is to cover all children."

CMA has long been a leader in advocating for children's health care. The association pushed for the creation of SCHIP on the federal level and played a key role in legislation establishing its California counterpart, the Healthy Families program.

CMA also supports state legislative efforts to expand access to health care for California children.

The California Medical Association represents more than 35,000 physicians in all modes of practice and specialties. CMA is dedicated to the health of all patients in California.

California Medical Association