WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the number of uninsured American’s hovering at 47 million – including almost 10 million children, Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) today assailed the Bush Administration for its failure to tear down barriers to health care. During an Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing entitled, “Covering Uninsured Kids: Missed Opportunities for Moving Forward,” DeGette focused on the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) regulations that limit both the eligibility levels of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and states’ ability to access Medicaid disproportionate share funding, which further block access to quality health care.

“The chance to reform health care is a major missed opportunity by the Bush Administration,” said DeGette. “With the number of uninsured Americans growing, this Administration continues to put up roadblocks to health care coverage. For instance, a new directive aimed at the children’s health program limits states’ longstanding flexibility in setting eligibility levels; this only blocks health care coverage from our nation’s poor kids. The Administration imposes an unattainable and unrealistic standard not only making it difficult for states to comply, but tying their hands and preventing them from making decisions that are best for their own populations.”

The August 2007 directive mandates that in order to expand coverage levels above 250% of the federal poverty level, states must meet a 95% participation rate for children below 200% of the federal poverty level.  This standard is completely unattainable and unrealistic.  CMS does not provide guidance for states on to how to meet such standards or even what data will be used to calculate a 95% compliance rate.

“Another draconian CMS rule limits hospitals’ ability to access Medicaid Disproportionate Share funding by changing the definition of ‘public’ hospitals. The impact of this rule will be devastating to both individuals in the state and to safety net providers – Colorado alone will see a funding cut of approximately $140 million. We must do something soon or hospitals across the country will have to start cutting budgets – which only hurts patient care,” concluded DeGette.

The CMS rule is expected to go into effect in May 2008.