1.3 Million Uninsured Children Live in Rural Areas

Remember the k.i.s.s. -- keep it simple! -- method? Today ... let's just keep it simple.

Question: What's the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) about?

Answer: Kids who don't have health insurance because their families can't afford the insurance.

Question: Why did President Bush veto the bill?

Answer: Apparently misinformed?

Question: What can you do?

Answer: Ask your Member of Congress to override the President's veto.

Question: How?

Answer: Call or email -- see below.

• US House of Representatives

Or you can just call the US Capitol and ask by name: 202-224-3121

PS: Want more facts? Click here for the University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute study on how SCHIP affects rural children ... or just read a little bit more. All facts come from the Institute.

• 1.3 million uninsured children live in rural areas.
• In 2005 - the latest year the figures are available, about four million rural children depended upon public health insurance.]
• What SCHIP does is build upon the Medicaid program. Thus, for children from the poorest of families, Medicaid covers the children
• But for the working poor, i.e., those who make a little too much money to be below the poverty level, but not nearly enough dollars to buy private ... and expensive ... health insurance, SCHIP makes up the difference.
• Most children who are eligible now ... or will be eligible with reauthorization, come from families who earn less than twice as much as the poverty level
• Poverty level for a family of four is $20,650 annual income.
• The cost of health insurance has risen dramatically in recent years
  

You can also read more detail about Congress' effort to override Bush's veto at National Public Radio's website.