The NRHA strongly supports reauthorization and expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The program was established in 1997 as a way to provide insurance to children that did not qualify for Medicaid. The NRHA has strongly supported the program since that time.

Rural children disproportionately rely on SCHIP and Medicaid. A Spring 2007 Carsey Institute Study found that 32% of rural children are enrolled in SCHIP or Medicaid compared to 26% of urban children. In addition, over 1.3 million rural children are still uninsured. We must do better.

The NRHA is advocating to Congress:

• Reauthorize the program

• Provide enough additional dollars to insure all eligible children
• Create a rural grant program to increase outreach and enrollment in rural parts of the country