Governor Kulongoski Urges Federal Action on Children's Health Care

Governor urges reauthorization of SCHIP and reversal of rules that limit kids access to care.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - As the United States Congress reconvenes following a month-long recess, an important child health care program is under attack on two fronts.

President George Bush has indicated that he would veto the reauthorization of funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) before it expires at the end of September, impacting millions of children in all 50 states.

At the same time, recently the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new rules that would limit significantly state’s ability to expand the SCHIP program to more children. In response, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski urged Congressional leadership of both parties and President Bush to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and to rescind new rules that throw up barriers to needy children and keep them from getting the health care then need. The SCHIP is a partnership funded by federal and state governments where, within broad federal guidelines, each state is responsible for the design of the program, establishing eligibility guidelines, benefit packages, payment levels for coverage, and administrative and operating procedures.

The program provides health care coverage for approximately 41,000 Oregon children and is a vital part of the state’s safety net. “I write to urge you to lead Congress as soon as possible to pass a reauthorization of SCHIP that reconciles the difference between the House and Senate version of the program,” Governor Kulongoski wrote in a letter to both Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress. “For many reasons, delaying a reconciliation of the House and Senate bills and defaulting to a series of temporary extensions of the program is untenable for the millions of children who rely on the program.” The Governor also urged Congress to rescind the new CMS rules through legislative action if the executive branch refuses to do so.

If the new rules remain in effect, 31,000 Oregon children will be denied health care coverage.

These kids come from working families who are caught in a trap – they earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but do not earn enough to pay steep private insurance premiums on their own. “When both families and states are willing to do their fair share to protect our children, it is indefensible that the federal government would attempt to back out of the deal,” wrote Governor Kulongoski. In his letter to President Bush, Governor Kulongoski urged the president not to shut the door on Oregon’s children. “America is the richest nation in the world, and in Oregon we believe that means we have a responsibility to make sure no child is left without the health care they need,” the Governor wrote to the President. “To that end, I urge you to work constructively for the reauthorization of the SCHIP instead of making good on your threat to veto it. I also urge you to advise your administration to rescind the unworkable guidelines that will hurt children in Oregon and every state in the country.” For a copy of the Governor’s letter to President Bush, go to: governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/letters/082907SCHIPPB.pdf
For a copy of the Governor’s letter to Congress, go to: governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/letters/082907SCHIP.pdf