But here's another: The program may not be around forever.

The program - known in Utah as CHIP - is up for reauthorization on Sept. 30.

If by that time the U.S. Congress doesn't resolve a stalemate over funding, the 10-year-old program could expire. Signing up now would at least give parents several months of coverage for their kids.

Utah health officials don't think the program will actually end. If negotiations fail, Congress will likely continue the program under current funding levels, said Nate Checketts, a financial supervisor at the state Health Department.

Paying no heed to politics, Utah launched a statewide campaign to enroll more children in CHIP.

Outreach workers hit the road Tuesday in a bright-red van hoping to find and sign up as many children as possible.

The "CHIP-mobile" will stop in all 29 Utah counties, visiting schools, grocery stores, health clinics and libraries - "anywhere they'll let us," said Utah Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert.

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has called upon Congress to swiftly take action on CHIP.

"We campaigned on economic development. That means investing in Utah's people to ensure a healthy and educated work force," said Herbert.

Created in 1997, CHIP was designed for working families who earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford health coverage through their employer. A family of four earning up to $41,300 a year may qualify.

Utah lawmakers approved a funding increase to extend coverage to 45,000 kids. CHIP enrollment has been growing steadily, but there are still 21,400 slots available.

Health officials estimate tens-of-thousands of children are eligible for the free coverage.

The state has, in recent years, made an effort to reach out to Spanish-speaking Utahns to address disproportionate numbers of uninsured Latinos.

CHIP enrollment in rural Utah is on par with, or exceeds, that in urban areas, said Checketts. "Often families don't know they're eligible for the program. They think, 'It's not for me, I'm working.' ''

Utah's two Republican Reps. Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon voted to stall CHIP's renewal, saying it's a move toward socialized medicine.

Some states have used their CHIP money to cover adults, an idea that has never been broached in Utah.

The U.S. House and Senate have passed measures to boost CHIP funding by different amounts and must come to a consensus over which to send to the White House. President Bush has threatened to veto any funding increase over $5 billion.

Should that happen, Checketts said Utah has enough funding to keep CHIP alive for two to three months, possibly long enough for Congress to pitch another funding scheme.

But Karen Crompton, director of Voices for Utah Children, fears a veto will force states to freeze enrollment or put a hold on further expansions.

Federal funding is CHIP's lifeblood. Utah gets $4 for every $1 it invests, said Crompton. "If they don't reauthorize the program, CHIP will be in critical care."

kstewart@sltrib.com