August '07 Nevada Government—Shelley Berkley Column

Berkley Joins So. Nevada Caregivers, Advocates in Calling for Expansion of SCHIP Program to Cover More Kids with Healthcare

CONGRESSWOMAN SHELLEY BERKLEY (D-NV) today [August 24, 2007] joined with health care workers, concerned advocates and representatives from St. Rose Domincan Hospitals at a news conference highlighting the need for full funding of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The federal program provides coverage for millions of uninsured children across the nation, including families in the Silver State eligible for the Nevada Check Up program.

"Nevada has 70,000 children who are eligible for insurance coverage through the federal SCHIP Program and we need to get these families enrolled so they have healthcare. For parents whose children qualify for SCHIP, the Nevada Check Up program provides peace of mind by ensuring our youngsters have access to regular check-ups and important preventative care. Given that Nevada has one of the highest percentages of uninsured residents in the nation, it is critical that we work together to help these families in Las Vegas and throughout the Silver State who are at risk because they continue to have no healthcare coverage," said Berkley.

During Friday's event, which was held in at the San Martín Campus of St Rose Dominican Hospitals, the Congresswoman heard from local caregivers about how Nevada Check Up allows sick children to see doctors when they are ill, and ensures that youngsters have access to regular preventive check-ups and dental care.

Legislation reauthorizing SCHIP has passed both houses of Congress, but President Bush has threatened a veto. Earlier this week, the Bush administration mandated new restrictions that make it even more difficult for children to qualify for Nevada Check Up funds. As a member of the Powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Berkley helped to craft the CHAMP Act. The Berkley legislation would expand SCHIP to cover more Nevadans

"The CHAMP Act reauthorizes SCHIP and protects coverage for 6 million children, including more than 39,000 in Nevada. This legislation also extends health care coverage to 5 million additional low-income children, bringing the total number of children covered across the United States to11 million," said Berkley.

Joining Congresswoman Berkley Friday in calling for reauthorization of SCHIP were Mary Johnson, Maternal Child RN, San Martín Campus and Andy North, Spokesman, St Rose Dominican Hospitals.

Berkley Honors Tom Williams Elementary for Being Named Among Top 25 "RIF" Reading Programs in the U.S.

1,000 New Books Donated to Students by Charity K.I.D.S. Inc.

CONGRESSWOMAN SHELLEY BERKLEY (D-NV) today [August 28, 2007] presented a certificate of Congressional honor to the students and faculty of Tom Williams Elementary School in North Las Vegas in recognition of their being named one of the nation's top 25 schools taking part in the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program.

"Teaching our children reading skills remains one the most important jobs of our schools and I congratulate Tom Williams Elementary for being recognized as having one of the nation's 25 best RIF programs," said Berkley. "I am so proud of the students and faculty at Williams Elementary and I salute the dedication and hard work of those who made this success a reality. These children stand to benefit for the rest of the lives from being strong readers and those skills are developed at the elementary school level by programs like RIF and through the work of the teachers and the faculty who make learning possible at Williams Elementary and at schools across the Las Vegas Valley."

Williams' Reading Is Fundamental Program was honored earlier this year with the RIF Program Excellence Honors 2007 award for successfully encouraging a culture of literacy in the community. The school was one of 25 to be honored by RIF and was chosen from more than 4,000 nationwide. At the event Tuesday, Berkley recognized the school's achievement and encouraged greater participation in literacy and reading programs throughout Clark County.

Berkley was also on hand to watch as the global charity Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) delivered 1,000 new books to the school. The reading materials were donated by K.I.D.S. (visit www.kidsdonations.com for more info) and were distributed to students at the event Tuesday afternoon.