We are extremely proud to tell you that yesterday President Obama signed into law the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. In addition to reauthorizing SCHIP, Congress increased the funding by $32.8 billion over the next 4 ½ years. This will cover an additional 4.1 million uninsured children.

As you know, one of our 10-year-goals is to increase by one-third the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoid risky behavior. A key indicator for that goal is the number of children under the age of 18 who are uninsured. Currently, nine million children in the U.S. do not have health insurance.

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a proven jointly financed State/Federal program for dramatically decreasing the number of uninsured children. Yet, while millions of uninsured children are eligible for SCHIP coverage, there is simply not sufficient funding to enroll them. Clearly, SCHIP is one of United Way’s top public policy priorities. We have been urging Congress to significantly expand the SCHIP program for more than 3 years.

United Way’s public policy team has worked tirelessly to ensure our nation’s children have access to affordable, quality health care. However, without the efforts of the entire United Way movement and the many calls and letters to Congressional offices sent by people like you, yesterday’s outcome might never have occurred.

Thank you for your important contribution to this dramatic step towards meeting our goals. Your leadership and care made a big difference yesterday.

LIVE UNITED.