The State Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007, H.R. 976, makes several improvements to SCHIP including addressing deficiencies in the current SCHIP funding formula and establishing a contingency fund for states that experience a funding short fall as a result of increased enrollment of low-income children. This legislation also mandates dental coverage for children in SCHIP and provides bonus payments to states that exceed enrollment targets in Medicaid and SCHIP to cover children who are eligible but not enrolled. This bill will not change eligibility standards, but it will add new money to the program to cover the 6 million children who are currently eligible but not enrolled.
Texas has been among the worst states in the nation in terms of insuring low-income children. Waiting periods, frequent re-enrollment, and other barriers erected in 2003 caused over 175,000 children in Texas to drop off the SCHIP rolls. While the legislature voted in 2007 to reverse many of these policies, Texas still has 1.4 million uninsured children, the highest number of insured children in country.
“We have lost our way in the State of Texas and gone from a state that was once a leader in enrollment to one that has neglected children. Texas SCHIP enrollment fell from 500,000 in 2003 to 300,000 in 2006, while overall uninsured rates continued to rise. Between 2000 and 2005, Texas has allowed $830 million in federal SCHIP funds to lapse and therefore be sent to other states. Caring for the long-term health of our children is of paramount importance. The health of our children is the health of the future of this great nation,” stated Congressman Al Green. “By reauthorizing SCHIP through this bi-partisan, bi-cameral agreement, we are ensuring that millions of children can receive the care they need. I urge the President to not leave any child behind by signing this important piece of legislation into law.”
“The children who are enrolled in Texas CHIP and SCHIP programs around the country are from hard working families. They deserve the opportunity to have access to affordable, accessible, and consistent health care. Healthy children become healthy, productive adults.”