Catherine Rampell’s commentary “America is defunding its children” (Sept. 24) should be a wake-up call for Missourians. In it, she cites the Urban Institute’s "Kids’ Share" report findings that federal expenditures on children increased a minuscule amount from 2012 to 2013. That’s the good news. The bad news is that 2013 spending was well below peak spending in 2010.
That the total expenditures on children are projected to fall relative to the size of the economy through 2024 is even worse news. Although federal spending is expected to rise by nearly $1.4 trillion over the next 10 years, spending on programs that benefit children are estimated to be just 2 cents of every dollar of projected increase.
Rampell believes that America is not setting out to deliberately defund services for children. Our congressional delegation will have a chance to prove this is true in a significant way over the next months as they make a decision about reauthorizing funding for the state Children’s Health Insurance Program.
CHIP is a means-tested program that provides health insurance to low-income children and pregnant women who have no health insurance and are not eligible for Medicaid. Families pay premiums if their income is over 150 percent of the federal poverty level ($29,550 for a family of three). CHIP is not an entitlement and it is not a free ride. The parents of children insured by CHIP have skin in the game. But unless Congress authorizes money, an estimated 37,000 children will become uninsured next September.
Investing in the health of kids is critically important. Our representatives and senators have a clear choice. CHIP’s continuance depends on their votes to fund it. Those who care about children should weigh in now with those who represent them, and should closely watch their votes.
Ruth Ehresman • St. Louis
Coordinator, St. Louis Family and Community Partnership
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