The House on October 25 passed a new bill to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), but failed to attain a veto-proof majority in the face of a new veto threat. President Bush objects to the bill’s proposals to significantly increase funding for the program and increase the federal tobacco tax.
Bush vetoed a similar bill (H.R. 976) in early October. A House vote later in the month fell short of the number required to override the veto. The House approved the new legislation on October 24—one day after it was introduced—by a 265-142 vote. That vote also fell short of the two-thirds that would be needed to override a presidential veto.
Seeking broader support
The new bill (H.R. 3963) mirrors the version vetoed by Bush, but contains a number of changes made in an effort by Democratic leaders to attract broader support for the measure. The new bill clarifies that states would receive federal funding for children enrolled in the program only if their families have incomes of 300 percent of the poverty level or less, up to $51,510, for a family of three. The bill would phase out coverage of childless adults after one year, rather than two. The bill clarifies that states would not receive federal funding for payments made to non-citizens. The Social Security Administration would be required to verify name, Social Security number, and place of birth of enrollees and applicants.
We have listened to suggestions, found common ground and have introduced
a revised bill that still meets our goal of health care for 10 million kids,
remarked Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the sponsor of the bill.
But several Republicans objected to Democratic plans to consider the bill, saying they did not have enough time to review it. Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.) called the bill "a cosmetic redraft." Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), called it "politically motivated and ill-conceived legislation."
$60 billion cost
Like the vetoed bill, the new bill would add $35 billion to the program over five years to insure more children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Total funding for SCHIP would be $60 billion. Supporters of the legislation estimate it would allow 10 million children to participate in the program, up from the 6.6 million currently covered. Bush originally proposed to fund the program at $30 billion, up $5 billion from current levels. But the administration recently indicated it may accept a $20 billion increase over five years.
The extra $35 billion proposed by the bill would be funded by a federal tax increase on tobacco products. Most significantly, the bill would increase the tax on cigarettes by 61 cents, to $1 per pack. It would impose additional tax increases on other tobacco products, including cigars and pipe tobacco.
Under the legislation, covered children would have access to dental and mental health services. The bill would require states to provide mental health benefits equal to medical and surgical benefits provided under the program. While barring SCHIP coverage of parents and childless adults, pregnant women could still be covered. States would be given financial incentives to lower the rate of uninsured children by enrolling them in SCHIP or in Medicaid.
The bill would allow family members of recovering military personnel injured in combat to be eligible to receive up to six months of leave from work to care for the injured personnel. Currently, spouses, parents and children of injured servicemen and women can receive 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. In addition to expanding leave, the bill would prohibit discrimination in employment against a family member who is caring for a recovering service member.
Source: CCH Washington Bureau, Oct. 25, 2007.
For more information on this and related topics, consult the CCH® Medicare and Medicaid Guide.
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