Insuring children

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Editorial, 10/2/7

The political impasse over the congressionally funded share of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program must not be allowed to extend past the expiration of a resolution passed Monday to continue funding at current levels.

The 10-year authorization – and money – for the widely supported, bipartisan program to provide health insurance in Mississippi and other states for uninsured children from birth to age 19 (in families with incomes less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level in Mississippi) expired Sunday. The bill that passed both the House and the Senate increases the income ceiling of families and, thus, the number of eligible children nationwide.