U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, an early leader on affordable children’s health legislation, moved the SCHIP reauthorization bill out of the Rules Committee last night and onto the House floor, where she spoke this morning and championed the importance of affordable health care. The bill includes several provisions from the first bill she filed as a member of Congress that were later blocked by President Bush. President-elect Obama has pledged to sign this bill.

This historic expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as KidCare in Florida, provides health care coverage for 11 million children nationwide by keeping intact the coverage for 7 million children currently enrolled and extending coverage to an additional 4 million. Families in our country face dire circumstances as the economy continues to erode. As moms and dads lose their jobs, they are increasingly unable to afford health insurance for themselves, let alone their children.

“More affordable health care is central to our economic recovery and it is fundamental for families,” Castor said in remarks on the House floor. “A healthy child is more likely to succeed in life. A healthy child is a healthy student. Healthy students become productive adults. A healthy child means more productive parents who do not miss work.”

The legislation is sorely needed, especially in Florida, home to roughly 800,000 uninsured children. Florida has the third-highest number of uninsured children in the country. Florida also has the second-highest percentage of uninsured children in the country: 18.8 percent of the state’s children lack health insurance. This bill ensures children will be able to see a doctor. Children’s inability to receive primary care is among the main reasons Castor entered public service.

“Families are working hard to make ends meet, but they are coming up short when it comes to health care,” Castor said. “This bill encourages states to make it easier for parents by eliminating costly bureaucratic red tape.”

Castor has been a passionate advocate of expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and worked specifically on improving impediments to enrolling that were a trademark of Florida KidCare under then-Gov. Jeb Bush’s administration. The program has been saddled with difficult enrollment procedures and long waiting lists. Several provisions of Castor’s bill are included in the legislation on the floor today, including bonus payments to states that cut bureaucracy to more quickly and efficiently enroll and retain children. Ways to do that include “fast track” enrollment options, such as creating a presumptive eligibility system for children participating in other public assistance programs, automatic renewals and eliminating in-person interviews.

The Castor family has a long history in fighting for affordable children’s health care.  Castor’s mother, Betty, former state education commissioner, worked with then-Gov. Lawton Chiles on developing a health insurance program for Florida’s uninsured children. The program Betty Castor and Lawton Chiles developed was so successful Chiles took the concept to President Clinton, who then launched a national program.  This became SCHIP.

Today’s bill reauthorizes SCHIP through fiscal year 2013.

To help states grappling with multibillion-dollar budget shortfalls, Castor and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink also continue to work on a one-year waiver for some states to provide matching funds. States would qualify for the waiver if the number of insured children falls in the lowest quartile nationwide and they have a minimum of a 10 percent projected budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year. Florida meets both requirements.

Castor is optimistic Obama will quickly sign the SCHIP legislation when he takes office. President Bush vetoed the legislation twice.

“What good news for all Americans that one of the first bills President Obama will sign will be one that improves access to quality, affordable health care and reduces the cost of health care for families,” Castor said. “Suffering through President Bush’s opposition over the past years has been very costly and we have lost ground.”