SCHIP has provided a vital source of health care coverage to children whose parents work but cannot afford or are not offered health insurance. It has effectively reduced the number of children without health insurance by more than one third.

This vote comes at a time when 9 million children are uninsured. Congress must adequately fund SCHIP to enroll more of America's and Utah's uninsured children and ensure no child loses coverage.

Of the 9 million uninsured children, 6 million are already eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid, but are not yet enrolled. In Utah, SCHIP covers more than 50,000 children, yet more than 90,000 remain uninsured.

We need to help our children get the best start in life. We call on U.S. Sens. Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch to properly fund and renew SCHIP now.

We urge Congress to protect and support the health and future of our children.

Jeffrey C. Schmidt, MD, FAAP

President, Utah Chapter

American Academy of Pediatrics

Salt Lake City