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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:	 	White House Chip Out Reach Event, Washington, D.C.
DATE:		February 23, 1999

George Will once wrote, "we are given children to test us and make us more spiritual."

It's true that playful children laughing, hiding and refusing to go to bed - do test us. Sometimes to the point where a spiritual - and spirited - discussion with our maker seems in order.

Children being children is a test all parents face - and learn to love. But there's another test that tries the spirit of millions of working parents - and that's the test of a sick child with no health insurance. Parents should not have to rely just on prayers when their children fall ill. They should be able to rely on high quality medical care too. As Mrs. Clinton said, that's what our Children's Health Insurance Program is all about.

CHIP is a $24 billion investment over five years in the one national treasure we can least afford to lose - our children. CHIP is not a welfare program, it is a serious investment in the health of our future workforce. It is an investment in working families. CHIP is a matter of pure self-interest. We all win when we keep our children healthy and our future economy strong.

In just 16 short months - working with Governors and members of Congress from both parties - the Department of Health and Human Services has approved CHIP plans in 50 states and territories. Under these plans, states expect to enroll by late next year 2.5 million children.

But CHIP is a little like a new restaurant. The tables and waiters are in place. The doors are open. The customers are coming in. But we still have empty tables to fill. That means outreach. And, frankly, it means building on the important steps we've already taken to give parents the information - and peace of mind - they need to protect their children.

Last February, President Clinton created an interagency task force made up of the federal departments and agencies that serve children. His charge was unambiguous: Come up with new ways to find uninsured children - and sign them up. That's exactly what the federal government has done. Agriculture is reaching families through the Food Stamp program. Education is reaching families through the schools. Housing and Urban Development is reaching families through public housing. Together, the members of the Task Force began over 150 outreach activities last year.

As for HHS: From training grantees, to meeting with State Medicaid Directors, to enlisting the help of grandparents - we've helped lay the foundation for the national campaign President Clinton will be announcing today.

Last fall, we teamed up with the National Governors Association to create a regional radio campaign to reach parents about CHIP. We've designed posters, bumper stickers and an easy-to-use kit that our partners in both the public and private sectors can use to teach their members how to find and enroll CHIP- eligible children. And just today, we started a new web site - www.insurekidsnow.gov - that is filled with important information about CHIP eligibility - and where to sign up. All on a state by state basis.

Our goal now is to find the parents of CHIP-eligible children and tell them about the program. Then our goal is to get every last one of these children enrolled.

I mentioned that CHIP has been a strong bi-partisan effort. In particular, governors and the NGA have stood with us - and worked with us - from day one. One of those governors is so committed to this program, he agreed to spend some time away from his 9 and 1, first place, Utah Jazz so he could be here with us to talk about CHIP.

It is my pleasure to introduce, Governor Michael Leavitt of Utah.

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