To the editor:
With all the political divisions we hear so much about in Washington, it is gratifying to see how well Maine’s congressional delegation is working together to meet the needs of our children for reliable access to health care.
Sen. Olympia Snowe is a chief co-sponsor of legislation to renew and expand the highly successful State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and has now been joined by her colleague, Sen. Susan Collins, in backing the Rockefeller-Snowe-Kennedy proposal. To date, they are the only two Republican senators to sign on to this vital legislation.
Over the past 10 years, SCHIP has cut in half the number of uninsured children in Maine by extending coverage to an additional 14, 850 kids. The new bill has the potential to ensure that almost all Maine kids have regular access to checkups, preventive care, and the early intervention that produces healthy, productive citizens later on.
Our two House members, Tom Allen and Mike Michaud, have pledged to support the legislation when it is introduced in their chamber. Congressman Allen is providing real leadership in the House as a member of the key Health sub committee.
During the next few weeks, the Senate Finance Committee, on which Sen. Snowe serves, will review and vote on reauthorization of SCHIP. The leadership of the Maine delegation will be crucial to ensuring that this program not only maintains our commitment to the nation’s children, but also will be available to every family who needs it. The delegation deserves our appreciation and our public support.
Elinor Goldberg, president/CEO
Maine Children’s Alliance
