00                      HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10                                                                     
01 Relating to reauthorization of federal funding for children's health insurance; and                                     
02 encouraging the Governor to support additional funding for and access to children's                                     
03 health insurance.                                                                                                       
04 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
05       WHEREAS the health of our children is of paramount importance to families in the                                
06 state; and                                                                                                              
07       WHEREAS poor child health is a threat to the educational achievement and the social                             
08 and psychological well-being of the children in the state; and                                                          
09       WHEREAS protection of the health of our children is essential to the well-being of                              
10 our youngest citizens and the quality of life in the state; and                                                         
11       WHEREAS the Denali KidCare program was authorized under AS 47.07.020(b)(13)                                     
12 in 1997, provided health coverage for approximately 7,600 children enrolled in the state                                
13 children's health insurance program and an additional 12,400 children enrolled in the                                   
14 Medicaid program in December 2006, and is an integral part of the arrangements for health                               
15 benefits for the children in the state; and                                                                             

01       WHEREAS the Alaska State Legislature recognizes the value of the Denali KidCare                                 
02 program in preserving child wellness, preventing and treating childhood disease, improving                              
03 health outcomes, and reducing overall health costs; and                                                                 
04       WHEREAS the federal funding available for the Denali KidCare program is                                         
05 indispensable to providing health benefits for children of modest means;                                                
06       BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges the Alaska Congressional                                 
07 delegation to work diligently to achieve a timely reauthorization of the State Children's Health                        
08 Insurance Program (42 U.S.C. 1397aa - 1397jj, Title XXI of the Social Security Act) to                                  
09 continue federal medical assistance percentages for the Denali KidCare program; and be it                               
10       FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges Governor Palin to                                      
11 work with the Alaska Congressional delegation to ensure reauthorization of the State                                    
12 Children's Health Insurance Program in a timely manner; and be it                                                       
13       FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature proclaims that all                                           
14 components of state government should work together with educators, health care providers,                              
15 social workers, and parents to ensure that all available public and private assistance for                              
16 providing health benefits to uninsured children in the state be used to the maximum extent                              
17 possible; and be it                                                                                                     
18       FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges Governor Palin to                                      
19 work to provide meaningful assistance to help identify and enroll children who qualify for                              
20 medical assistance or Denali KidCare.                                                                                   
21       COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the                                    
22 Honorable Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S.                                              
23 Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress; and the Honorable Sarah                                   
24 Palin, Governor of Alaska.