SENS. MARTINEZ, VOINOVICH INTRODUCE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE ALTERNATIVE

October 18, 2007 -

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mel Martinez (R-FL) and George V. Voinovich (R-OH) today joined with House Republican Leaders and several members to introduce a bill to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The measure contains a full reauthorization of SCHIP, a $1,400 per child health care tax credit, and an aggressive outreach program to ensure all children eligible for the program have the opportunity to sign up for insurance. It also allows states to explore various efforts to reduce the number of uninsured and the cost of health care; improve quality and access to care and expand information technology.

“This bill gets the job done. It insures 10 million children and does it in a way that preserves and protects the quality of health care for all on the program,” said Martinez. “As Republicans and Democrats, we need to move forward with viable alternatives – this bill will ensure the reauthorization of an SCHIP that covers the intended population and expands private health insurance coverage for families in need.”

“We all want to cover more uninsured children but we should not unnecessarily increase a government program beyond its intent when the private sector is already providing coverage,” Sen. Voinovich said. “Our nation already invests $2 trillion in health care each year – it’s time to look at how we’re currently spending this money. Our bill looks at the big picture and finds ways to increase funding for SCHIP while using the tax code to insure millions of children. It also recognizes that, while health reform proposals are bottled up here at the federal level, states are in a unique position to demonstrate ways to do the job better. Our bill gives states the ability to examine various strategies to reduce the uninsured, lower costs and improve quality of care.”

It's estimated that between 500,000 and 1.5 million children are currently eligible for SCHIP coverage but are not enrolled simply because the families don't know the program exists. The bill encourages states to find innovative ways to identify and enroll that population.

Introducing the House version of the bill are Representatives Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4), Tom Price (GA-6), Tom Feeney (FL-24) and Tim Walberg (MI-7). There are currently more than 40 cosponsors including Minority Leader John Boehner (OH), Republican Whip Roy Blunt (MO), and Deputy Republican Whip Eric Cantor (VA).

Senate cosponsors include Senators Mel Martinez (FL), George Voinovich (OH), Jim DeMint (SC), Lindsey Graham (SC), John Cornyn (TX), John Thune (SD), Jeff Sessions (AL), Jim Inhofe (OK), and Saxby Chambliss (GA).