SCHIP Legislation Stalls in the House and the Senate
Legislation reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program has hit several bumps in the road in the House and the Senate. Both chambers are debating SCHIP reauthorization bills this week; however the outcome is far from certain. Both parties are bracing for a conference committee fight over a cigarette tax increase and cuts to private Medicare Advantage plans.
The Senate bill provides for $35 billion in new funding for SCHIP. The bill includes a 61-cent per pack increase in the tobacco tax to pay for SCHIP, but does not include Medicare provisions. Finance Chairman Baucus plans to address Medicare physician fees this year, and has made a concerted effort to keep the issue separate from SCHIP.
The House bill contains a $50 billion SCHIP reauthorization, which includes language to fend off a scheduled pay cut for physicians under Medicare for two years, cuts extra payments to private Medicare Advantage plans, and imposes a 45-cent per-pack cigarette tax increase.
The Senate and House will work to pass their respective versions of the bill before the August 6 recess but will not produce a final package until after the August break.
Senator Michael Enzi Introduces Healthcare Legislation- Ten Steps to Transform Health Care in America
Senator Enzi, champion of last year's Small Business Health Plan bill which garnered strong support from small business groups, including WIPP, introduced comprehensive legislation that builds on market based solutions and current health insurance programs to improve healthcare for Americans. The bill includes language to allow small businesses, unions, and associations to pool across state lines to purchase health insurance. State benefit mandates currently in place in a majority of states would apply - uniformly - to plans offered across state lines. WIPP has long been a supporter of legislation that would allow businesses to pool across state lines, including SBHPs and AHPs.
The bill also seeks to strengthen the individual insurance market through qualified core plans; increases options for working families to purchase health insurance through a standard tax deduction; ensures affordable health insurance to low-income individuals through a refundable subsidy; emphasizes preventative benefits and assists individuals with chronic diseases; provides for the conversion of Medicaid and SCHIP program benefits into private health insurance; and coordinates health information technology to improve health care delivery.
To see the ten steps, please visit Senator Enzi's website by clicking here
The Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Issued a Statement Regarding SCHIP
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Carolyn Gable proves that dreams can be achieved: from waitress to CEO; as a single mother parenting seven children ages 8 to 32; and, as the founder of the "Expect A Miracle" Foundation, a visionary foundation serving the needs of single parents and their children.