The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) pays a part of the cost of insurance coverage for millions of low-income children who are not eligible for Medicaid. Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill is promoting a substantial expansion in the scope and funding for the program, while the White House maintains that SCHIP should focus its assistance on the neediest children who have no other source of health insurance. Should we continue to debate only the merits of a single program, or should the policy discussion address the broader issue of the uninsured, which affects young and old alike? Can we discuss covering the uninsured without also addressing cost, quality, and access to care?

Michael Leavitt, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, will deliver a major policy address on the challenges of ensuring that children--and all Americans--have access to affordable health coverage. He will articulate the vision of the administration for a more comprehensive approach to our health-system problems.

This is the second part of a health policy double feature to be held at AEI on April 24. The first event will be a panel discussion on the latest Medicare trustees’ report, followed by Secretary Leavitt’s speech. Please register for the first event separately at www.aei.org/event1503.