This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Re "Health fix strikes close to home" (Tribune, Sept. 23):
As a pediatrician who sees few uninsured children, I know many more can't afford preventive or acute care. The new health care reform law is an enormous advance for our children.
Utah ranks 50th in getting our uninsured children into health insurance programs. We will do better under the new law, even as politicians use the law as a political wedge and as insurance companies refuse to cover kids who desperately need care.
Lost in partisan, political and ideological rhetoric and campaign slogans, our public and legislators may fail to understand many of the benefits of the new law. People should read their newspapers or go online (http://www.healthreform.kff.org or http://www.healthreform.gov) to understand the law's benefits.
Families need to be aware of current opportunities to cover their kids, even as reform makes improvements.
Most uninsured kids in Utah are currently eligible for SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) or Medicaid, but families don't know they're eligible or have trouble navigating the enrollment system.
Instead of trying to "repeal and revise" this landmark reform law, our leaders should work to help it fulfill its potential for our people.
Tom Metcalf
Salt Lake City