SCHIP - Letter to Honorable President Bush

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

Honorable President Bush:

There are many families with children who don’t have health insurance because they can’t afford it or have an insurance that even if used could bankrupt a family. For example, a family of 5 has health insurance from the father’s place of work, but there is a $1000 deductible for each member of the family. This family has a daughter with a serious muscular disease. The mother recently suffered from viral meningitis. The cost of these two illnesses have created further illnesses within the family because members put off getting health care when they need it. If this family were able to participate in the SCHIP program everyone’s health would improve because of better health care. This is just one of thousands of examples of people not getting the health care they need.

We, the undersigned, consistent with the teaching of our church, urge you in the name of everyone’s inalienable right to health care to sign into law the bill coming out of Conference Committee reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The majority of Americans (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation poll) support the reauthorization of SCHIP. Honorable President Bush, we ask you to stand with the majority of Americans in this matter. We further beg you to rescind the standards you recently set which seek “to establish a minimum of a one-year period of uninsurance for individuals.” We understand that you’re trying to prevent ‘crowding’ but this standard simply magnifies the problems of people who are already falling through the cracks. We ask you to exercise your compassion and obligation to the common good by reauthorizing SCHIP.

Sincerely,

Which Child Would We Ask To Go Without Health Coverage?

SCHIP is a federal/state specific program for healthcare coverage of children who fall between the cracks. It is for families who do not qualify for Medicaid and don’t have insurance coverage because of circumstances beyond their control. Many users of this program are unexpected users as this story demonstrates: Beatrice lost her husband to death. The family now had to deal with the fact that they no longer had health insurance. With five children, just the cost of preventive care would have bankrupted the newly single mother. Fortunately, they were able to enroll in CHIP (the Utah program). This provided a safety net in case of an emergency. When she remarried the children came off the program and they were covered by her second husband’s health insurance plan. This story could be the case of any of our families here at Nativity, including families whose major provider loses her or his job.

For more information on the status of the SCHIP bill in Congress pick up a brochure at the Social Justice bulletin board in the northeast entryway or check the social justice blog on our parish website www.nativitycatholicchurch.net

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) tell us “Catholic teaching insists that access to adequate health care is a basic human right, necessary for the development and maintenance of life and for the ability of human beings to realize the fullness of their dignity. The USCCB has consistently worked for access to affordable health care for all, in a way that reflects a priority concern for the poor.” (See USCCB statements Health and Health Care and A Framework for Comprehensive Health Care Reform)

2008 Farm Bill & Justice

WHY WE SHOULD GET INVOLVED: As Catholics, our Church’s social teaching is rooted in the fundamental dignity of every human life. The U.S. Catholic Bishops have stated that the right to food is a basic right because it is required to sustain life and to live a truly human existence. Therefore, we are called to ensure that we do everything we can to meet the basic needs of our brothers and sisters around the world, including the need for food.

HOUSE COMMITTEES TO DECIDE WHETHER NEW FARM BILL WILL EFFECTIVELY FIGHT GLOBAL HUNGER
As Congress prepares to reauthorize the U.S. Farm Bill, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have actively been monitoring hearings on the Farm Bill in Congress. Along with a number of faith-based and humanitarian groups, CRS also recently endorsed a statement calling for changes in the bill that would benefit farmers, rural communities, and meet the nutritional needs of poor people in the United States and overseas.

The Farm Bill defines international and domestic U.S. food and agricultural policy over several years. Much of the policy focuses on farming in the United States. However, important provisions in the Farm Bill address how the United States provides food to assist people in need worldwide not only during emergencies such as war and drought but also as a tool for long-term development such as using food to promote education, health or agriculture.

The current Farm Bill will be reauthorized because it expires at the end of September 2007. The House Agriculture Committee is scheduled to consider the new Farm Bill shortly.

As part of the Catholic Church's overall advocacy regarding the 2007 Farm Bill, Catholic Relief Services is focusing its efforts on fighting hunger overseas. Visit its website (www.catholicreliefservice.org)for specific provisions CRS is advocating for, to view the full action alert, and to send members of the House Agriculture Committee a message today!