ATLANTA -- There is a very critical issue facing more than a quarter of a million children in Georgia.

It's funding for their health insurance, primarily, through PeachCare for Kids.

Georgia is facing a shortfall of $131 million dollars from the federal government.

Without it, PeachCare for Kids will run out of funds and all 260-thousand kids will lose their health insurance within the next two months.

That's the immediate problem.

But the bigger issue looming is that the entire State Children's Health Insurance Plan will soon expire, and it takes Congress to renew the plan.

That's why Georgia lawmakers went to our nation's Capital last week and that's a good thing.

But lawmakers tell us what's even more important is that people like you and me get involved.

We could think of no better way to spend our tax dollars than providing health insurance for kids whose parents can't afford it.

And Peachcare for Kids is not a free ride. Parents do pay monthly according to their income for kids over 5 years old.

Both the state and federal government pick up the rest.

Getting primary care through Peachcare for Kids means kids are less likely to wind up in emergency rooms which will cost us millions more dollars, and that's just one example.

We urge you not only to e-mail or write your Congressman, but also to contact Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson. You can log onto wsbtv.com for that information.

Ask them to ensure that funding and reauthorization for the State Children's Health Insurance Plan is a priority.

Our children can't do it, so it is up to us adults.. and we would hate to see you let our kids down.

I'm Bill Hoffman