National Health Care Reform Will Affect Florida's Kids
The House of Representatives is crafting health care reform legislation, named the Tri-Committee Bill. Many long standing health care issues are coming to the front of national debate in the comprehensive bill. One of the key issues for children is the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP is the program that funds KidCare, which provides health insurance for over 220,000 Florida children near the poverty line.The bill proposes letting the successful CHIP program expire and switching children to new programs, like private companies or a government insurance plan. The transition to new programs, called the "Exchange", could leave millions of children in the nation with less effective health coverage.
First Focus, a national children's advocacy organization, drafted an amendment to the Tri-Committee Bill. Instead of ending CHIP and forcing children onto other plans, First Focus proposes leaving CHIP intact for one year past its 2013 expiration date. During this time, it can be determined if other programs can give equal or better benefits to children, including medical treatment and mental health screenings.
First Focus will be looking for a sponsor for the amendment.
The bill will make its way through the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee this week. The committee will propose changes to make the bill affordable. As changes are released, Children's Campaign, Inc. will keep you informed.
Children need a proven health insurance program. If the CHIP program is up for elimination, we will need to call on you for help. Stay tuned.
Also in the News:
The recent New York Times article, "Defying Slump, 13 US States Insure More Children", talks about how, "Despite budgets ravaged by the recession, at least 13 states have invested millions of dollars this year to cover 250,000 more children with subsidized government health insurance." However, even more children could be in danger of losing their coverage.
Read more at: Expanding Child Health Care