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San Francisco Chronicle, Op-ed
By Ritu Chitkara, M.D.
August 21, 2007
Editor - As a pediatrician, I read with interest the Aug. 16 article, "Children of color being left behind." I agree with state Superintendent Jack O'Connell - the difference among ethnic groups is "disturbing."
We have failed our state's children not only on an educational level, but also on a health-care level. Children of color are also more likely to be uninsured; 1 in 6 African American children and 1 in 4 Latino children are uninsured, as compared with 1 in 11 white children. It is a timely subject, especially with the uncertainty around re-authorization and expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which is set to expire Oct. 1.
In order to ensure that every child has a healthy start, health-care coverage is of vital importance. Children need to feel well, see well and hear well in order to do well. Yet, as compared with insured children, kids without health insurance are more than 4 times as likely to have an unmet medical need; 3 times as likely to have an unmet dental need; more than 3 times as likely to go without prescription medication; twice as likely to have an unmet need for vision care. How can we expect these kids to succeed in school under these circumstances?
I ask everyone to stand up against injustice toward our nation's children. We must all urge Congress and the White House to support reauthorization of SCHIP to the fullest.
RITU CHITKARA, M.D.
Department of Pediatrics
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
Palo Alto
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