Healthcare executives, union representatives and politicians, including Congressmen Joe Crowley and Jerrold Nadler, came together late last month at Montefiore’s Children’s Hospital to rally for Congress’ reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

The program’s original 10-year authorization period expires Sept. 30. But even as it stands today, the bill doesn’t provide enough money to states in order to cover the country’s nine million uninsured children, nearly seven million of whom qualify but are not enrolled. In New York, there are nearly 400,000 uninsured children, two-thirds of whom qualify for program funds.

A budget resolution in March set aside an additional $50 million for the program, but Congress must first reauthorize the bill and then finance the increase.

According to a study by Families USA, the increased funding could bring New York $4 billion for children’s health care over the next five years. The study also found that the money would enhance the economy, increasing business activity and wages, as well as creating jobs.

The coalition, Partnership for Quality Care, says the program’s reauthorization and increase is vital for the nation, particularly New York.

Crowley said: “SCHIP – the federal-state partnership that offers health care coverage to our children – must have the resources it needs to maintain the level of care for those receiving its benefits and to expand coverage for our uninsured.”