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Managing America: Health Care

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Week Ending October 26, 2007

H.R.3963 To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes.

The bill is essentially identical to HR 976 that passed the House and Senate, was vetoed by the president. The House failed to override the veto. This bill returns the matter to consideration with some changes and emphasis on provisions that were not changed:

States may receive funds to cover families of three who earn up to $51,510 yearly (300% of the poverty level. States may receive performance bonuses only for enrolling the lowest income children. (In HR 976. Performance bonuses in HR 976 were awarded for increasing enrollment without targeting lowest income children.)

All states must submit plans and implement recommended best practices for helping to continue employer-sponsored coverage of children already covered by their parents work insurance plan. (In HR 976 but only required as an option. Parents or employers could reject participation)

States are encouraged to use SCHIP funds to subsidize employer-sponsored health insurance for children as an option. (Not specified in HR 976 but States had the option)

Coverage for Childless adults phased out after one year. (In HR 976)

Citizenship

Clarifies the role of the Social Security Administration in verifying citizenship for purposes of Medicaid and CHIP eligibility.  SSA will verify name, social security number, and place of birth of enrollees and applicants.  This will assist States in identifying potential non-citizens and permit States to follow-up. (In HR 976)

Prior to 2006, applicants only swore to their citizenship under penalty of perjury. Under current law, States must ask for various documents to prove identity and citizenship. States still have that option but, the CBO reported: “Some states have reported a drop in enrollment since …(2006)… because some Medicaid applicants have had difficulty satisfying the documentation requirement. Available evidence, based on state reports and other information provided by state officials, suggests that virtually all of those who have been unable to provide the required documentation are U.S. citizen.” It is likely, CBO concluded, that States will utilize the option of confirming identity and citizenship with the SSA.

Clarifies that States will not receive Federal funding for payments made to non-citizens. (Not in HR 976. In HR 976 applicants were covered during a 90 day period involving attempts to verify citizenship if social security numbers did not match the applicant’s identity. If the conflict could not be reconciled the applicant was dropped from the program.)

Increases coverage to an addition 100,000 lowest income children (Not in HR 976)

Sponsor:  Rep. John Dingell (D-MI-15^th)

Vote: Passed House October 25, 2007 265 to 142 RC 1009. The motion to recommit the bill failed 164 to 242 RC 1008

Cost to the taxpayers: $60 million over five years. Offsets include revenues from tax on tobacco products.

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this bill.

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No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)