As children across Minnesota return to school this month, one of the most important school supplies they can have is health coverage.

With 9 million children across the country living without health coverage– including more than 85,000 in Minnesota – the current national health care debate is more important to the future of the country than ever. Unfortunately, the debate in Washington, D.C. has largely ignored children. This week, former U.S. Senators Tom Daschle, a Democrat, and John Danforth, a Republican wrote about this recently in the Boston Globe.

Today, a child’s health coverage depends almost totally on where the child lives or where their parents work or how much their parents earn. Too often, cash-strapped states, including Minnesota, erect barriers to coverage that prevent millions of children from getting the care they need. Even after this year’s expansion of the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is implemented, several million children will remain uninsured, and millions more will be underinsured.

Covering children is not only the right thing to do, but also has an economic return. Children with coverage get key checkups and immunizations, do better in school, have fewer long-term health problems, commit fewer crimes, and are better prepared for the future work force. All these factors not only save money, but are crucial to our economic and social future.

Too often, a school nurse is the only health professional that many uninsured children see. Let’s change that, and ensure all our children can go to a doctor when they need to and get the preventive care they need to succeed in school and in life. Call 202-225-3121 and let your elected representatives in Congress know that every child should have coverage that is accessible, comprehensive and easy to get enrolled and stay enrolled. Our future depends on it.