When you think of the uninsured in America, what image comes to mind? Have you ever thought of children as being uninsured?

If it's not, you're not alone: In a current survey sponsored by the Catholic Health Association on public attitudes about the uninsured, only 13% of respondents thought first of children as the group mainly likely to be uninsured. In fact, 20% (approximately 1 in 5) of the 46 million uninsured Americans are children. That means more than 9 million children are with out health insurance. This means that millions of children in America can not see a doctor on a usual basis, can not afford prescription drugs, and can not obtain preventive care, among other services. They are less likely to do well in school, and more probable to encounter problems with their social and emotional development. It does not have to be this way.

Recognizing that something should be done about this crisis, a group of national organizations-- as well as Families USA--has launched the Campaign for Children's Health Care, a multi-year effort dedicated to making high-quality, affordable health insurance for all of America's children a top national priority. The campaign's instant goal is to raise awareness about the problem of uninsured children in America.