The nation's governors have adopted a new policy to re-emphasize the importance of Congressional reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) and immediate funding for states facing shortfalls in the program.

In the policy, governors call on Congress to provide adequate, predictable funding and enhanced flexibilities for states that will allow improvements in health care and coverage for children. This critical, state-based program provides health insurance to more than six million children across the country.

"States have long been leaders in giving children a healthy start in life," said NGA Health and Human Services Committee Chair New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine. "The flexibility of the S-CHIP program has made it among the most valuable tools for states to increase affordable health care for both children and their parents and taking a step backward would be devastating."

"S-CHIP has been a great success across the country, and it provides governors with more flexibility in the design of health benefit packages," said Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, the committee vice chair. "We want to continue creating opportunities for states to improve health care access for uninsured children. Reauthorization of S-CHIP must reflect the needs of states that manage and finance the program."

Governors look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to make health insurance available to children in need.