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(Washington D.C.)- Today, the House of Representatives is expected to approve the CHAMP Act of 2007, which provides funding for the re-authorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and improves Medicare for all beneficiaries. The SCHIP program currently provides health coverage for 6 million low-income children nationwide and 55,000 kids in Michigan alone.
“Some of the issues we debate are quite complicated. This one is quite simple,” said Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI). “This is about kids, and more benefits for seniors. 5 million more kids. Benefits for seniors are improved. The American People want the children of America covered by health insurance. The Republicans have failed in their years here, and we will make sure that these kids get their health insurance.”
The CHAMP bill re-authorizes the SCHIP program and adds $50 billion in new appropriations to insure 5.1 million more children that are currently eligible for the program but not participating. Under the new legislation that will be passed by the House of Representatives, a 45 cent tobacco tax and correction of over-payments to private Medicare Advantage plans will be used to fund children’s health insurance and improvements to the Medicare program.
“This legislation also helps provide better services for people on Medicare,” continued Rep. Levin. “By decreasing the cost of mental health care for seniors, expanding programs to help lower monthly premiums and co-pays on prescription drugs, and keeping Medicare solvent for an additional three years, this bill goes a long way in helping our seniors’ quality of life.”
This bill improves Medicare by:
• Expanding access to preventative health care by eliminating co-pays and deductibles for preventative services such as colorectal cancer screenings and annual mammograms.
• Ensuring access to physicians for Medicare beneficiaries nationwide by prohibiting Medicare physician payment cuts.
• Preserving Michigan’s right to provide health coverage for 67,000 working adults with incomes of about $3,500 per year.
• Lowering the cost of mental health care for Michigan’s seniors. Currently, seniors have to pay for 50% of their mental health services and 20% of physical health costs. This legislation lowers the share that seniors have to pay for mental health care to 20%.
• Benefiting taxpayers in Michigan by adding 3 years of solvency to the Medicare program.
• Expanding and improving programs that help low-income seniors afford their health care and prescription drugs.
The CHAMP bill is endorsed by 95 major health care organizations, including the AARP, the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association.
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