1. CHIP Expiring Funds On 30 September, $1.07 billion in CHIP funds expired and returned to the federal treasury. While both Congress and the Administration have expressed their desire to keep the money in the program, no action was taken before Congress adjourned. Thus, any efforts to extend these funds will have to occur after the new Congress convenes in January. 2. Protect Every Child Senator John Kerry released a video and online petition at Kids First. He introduced a bill, accompanied by the support of hundreds of thousands of Americans who sign the petition, to provide every child in America with health insurance. There are more than eight million uninsured children in the United States and he states "that's eight million reasons for us to stay together and fight for a new direction. It is a disgrace that in the wealthiest nation on earth, eight million children go without health insurance." Here's an extended description from the web site: Every parent knows the fear of waking up to the cries of a sick baby or a child with an ear infection that will not go away. As parents, we both remember the countless times we called that first pediatrician to get answers to every last question. But far too many parents have another fear, on top of their child's health. They worry that a sick child means financial ruin. There are more than eight million uninsured children in our nation. These children are less likely to get a routine checkup, or to get treatment for common ailments like asthma. They miss more days of school. It is a disgrace that eight million children lack health insurance in the richest nation on earth. Our plan starts by providing health insurance for every child in America. Under the Kerry plan, the federal government will pay the full costs for the 20 million children in the Medicaid program. In return, we will ask states to expand coverage to children in families with higher incomes than are currently eligible, as well as low-income adults. This plan will expand coverage to millions of people and provide much needed relief for states that are struggling under persistent growing budgetary pressures. The plan will also simplify the health care system so we can prevent children from falling through the cracks. Right now, there are millions of kids who are eligible for federal/state health insurance programs but are not signed up. There are lots of reasons--sometimes the enrollment forms require the skills of an accountant to figure out. Some states make parents sign up every six months in person, making it virtually impossible for a parent who cannot get time of for afford to lose a whole day of work. Some parents do not even know these programs are available. Under our plan, kids will be signed up automatically at hospitals, community health centers, and schools. And $5 billion in enrollment bonuses will be available to states as an incentive to find uninsured children and keep them covered. Children do not choose their parents. They do not choose whether to have health insurance. Children deserve a good start--with both high quality education and health care. Under our plan, every child in America will have health insurance, and every parent will have a little more peace of mind. 3. Covering New Americans: A Review of Federal and State Policies Related to Immigrants' Eligibility and Access to Publicly Funded Health Insurance Immigrants are less likely to have health insurance than U.S. citizens, in part because federal law places special restrictions on legal eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP that do not apply to U.S. citizens. This brief reviews issues related to immigrants' eligibility for publicly funded health insurance, including state efforts to provide coverage to immigrants. 4. Healthy Kids Make Better Learners: A Step-by-Step Manual This updated Consumers Union guidebook has information about school-based health insurance outreach and enrollment strategies, with instructions and templates. The manual also provides suggestions for building partnerships and obtaining funding in tight budget times.