The Catholic tradition affirms that health care is a basic right flowing from the sanctity and dignity of human life. Pope John Paul II wrote that "in the Christian view, our treatment of children becomes a measure of our fidelity to the Lord himself."
In Utah, 90,000 children are without health coverage, putting their health and their futures at risk. These boys and girls are less likely to receive care for childhood illnesses such as sore throats, earaches and asthma. As a result of their lack of health care, they are less prepared to learn in school and succeed in life.
Utah is not alone in dealing with this issue. There are now approximately 9 million children in the U.S. who have no health insurance. That is a number equal to all of the first- and second-graders enrolled in this country's public schools.
Thankfully, there is something that can be done. Many uninsured children are eligible for low-cost or free coverage through the Children's Health Insurance Program. Utah's Sen. Orrin Hatch successfully co-sponsored the passage of CHIP 10 years ago. CHIP has provided a safety net for the children of many hard-working parents who either aren't offered health insurance for their family through their jobs or who can't afford the coverage they are offered. Since the program began, CHIP has effectively reduced the number of children living without health insurance by more than one-third.
We know that CHIP works. Because of these CHIP programs in every state, millions of children nationwide can see doctors when they are ill, have access to medications, get regular check-ups and be hospitalized if necessary. Since CHIP was enacted, the number of uninsured children has fallen by 2.7 million, despite a growth in child poverty and the decline in the number of children whose families get health care through employment.
This summer, President Bush, governors and members of Congress are all discussing how much money should be devoted to kids' coverage. In less than six weeks, CHIP will expire. Unless Congress and the White House act now to renew and properly fund the program, thousands of children in Utah, along with millions more across the country could lose their health coverage.
Gov. Jon Huntsman recognizes the importance of children's health coverage. Recently, he called on Congress to swiftly take action on CHIP. As a community, we cannot stand by while this crucial safety net is pulled out from under thousands of Utah families. We must add our voices to the growing numbers of people who think that all Americans should have access to health coverage - starting with children.
I believe that reauthorizing and expanding CHIP is a moral imperative. If our leaders don't reauthorize and fund CHIP appropriately, we not only risk the health of our children, but we send a powerful and terrible message about how our nation values the most vulnerable among us.
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* THE MOST REVEREND JOHN C. WESTER was installed as the ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City on March 14, 2007. The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City covers the entire state of Utah.
