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Enrolled SJR 1: Relating to reauthorization of federal funding for children's health insurance; and encouraging the Governor to support additional funding for and access to children's health insurance.

00Enrolled SJR 1 01 Relating to reauthorization of federal funding for children's health insurance; and encouraging 02 the Governor to support additional funding for and access to children's health insurance. 03 _______________ 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 authorized under AS 47.07.020(b)(13) in 12 provides health coverage for approximately 9,000 uninsured children each month and is 13 an integral part of the arrangements for health benefits for the children in the state; and 14 WHEREAS the Alaska State Legislature recognizes the value of the Denali KidCare 15 program in preserving child wellness, preventing and treating childhood disease, improving

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