Henry L. Dorkin, MD, FAAP, President of the Massachusetts
Medical Society, released the following statement:
“Reliable funding for the Children’s Health Insurance
Program (CHIP) and our country’s community health centers helps states like
Massachusetts ensure that more children and families are able to access quality
medical care. Twenty years ago, the MMS was proud to support the first CHIP
legislation, and we continue to do so. Now, in Massachusetts, children’s health
coverage is at record levels, with less than one percent of children from
qualifying families living without health insurance.
“That’s why it’s shocking and inexcusable that Congress last
week allowed the CHIP program to expire without passing a reauthorization bill.
More than 180,000 children in Massachusetts are now at risk of losing their
health coverage. Their families – working families that don’t qualify for Medicaid
but who need some help with health care costs – must now live with the fear of
losing the coverage on which they rely.
“Among these patients are children who live with chronic
conditions that require continuous care in order for the children to stay
healthy. Uncontrolled chronic conditions not only take children out of school
and away from their communities, but can also lead to worsened outcomes and
higher long-term costs of care.
“As a pediatrician specializing in respiratory disorders, I
have dedicated my life to helping children grow into adulthood. Many of my
patients would not have been able to do so without access to reliable health
coverage. We cannot play fast and loose with the health of our children.
Congress must take immediate steps to restore this essential, life-saving
program – and to pass a long-term reauthorization.
“At the same time, Congress has the opportunity to protect
access to health care for medically underserved by ensuring funding of
community health centers (CHCs). CHCs are facing devastating budget cuts, which
could lead to the closure of thousands of health center sites nationwide. Here
in Massachusetts, community health centers serve nearly one million patients
each year.
“By providing level discretionary funding and by extending
the Health Centers Fund, Congress will maintain needed stability at health
centers – essential safety nets that meet the needs of communities across the
Commonwealth.
“By missing the September 30th deadline, Congress
has inadvertently destabilized two important medical programs in the United
States. We urge our elected officials to quickly right this wrong.”
