Health and Human Services Committee Home

February 26, 2007

Dear Senator Reid, Senator McConnell, Speaker Pelosi and Representative Boehner:

On behalf of the nation's governors we urge you to make the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) a top priority in this first session of the 110th Congress. Governors are united in support for this important program that serves over 6 million children nationwide. Coverage in the program will be jeopardized without your immediate action to prevent federal funding shortfalls.

We urge you to immediately pass legislation that would provide sufficient funds for S-CHIP to prevent any state from having a federal funding shortfall prior to reauthorization. Funding to address shortfalls is critical as states will no longer have enough federal funds to support their programs as early as March. This measure should be moved as soon as possible to avoid any shortfall in the program as a stand-alone measure or on the first available legislative vehicle.

Governors further urge you to begin work now to ensure a timely and successful reauthorization of S-CHIP. Flexibility for states to tailor the program to the health care needs and unique demographics of each state is paramount for the future success of the program. Congress must also provide sufficient funding to fully meet each state's health care coverage objectives for S-CHIP.

Governors are working together to provide further details to you through the National Governors Association. We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,