Rep. Warren offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 6.

            A concurrent resolution to memorialize the United States Congress to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for the State of Michigan.

            Whereas, The Michigan Legislature regards the health of our children to be of paramount importance to families in our state.  Poor child health is a threat to educational achievement as well as the social and psychological well-being of the children of our state; and

            Whereas, The members of the Michigan Legislature consider protecting the health of our children to be essential to improving the lives of our youngest citizens and the quality of life in this state.  The Michigan SCHIP program, which has enrolled uninsured children since its inception, is an integral part of the arrangements for health benefits for the children of the state of Michigan.  We recognize the value of the Michigan SCHIP in preserving child wellness, preventing and treating childhood disease, and improving health outcomes, including overall health costs; and

            Whereas, The federal funding available to the State of Michigan through SCHIP is an invaluable source of funding to provide health benefits for children of modest means.  Furthermore, we encourage all components of state government to work with educators, health care providers, social workers, and parents to ensure that all available public and private assistance to provide health benefits for uninsured children be garnered and used to the maximum extent; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we memorialize the United States Congress to ensure timely reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to assure federal funding for Michigan SCHIP; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.