Smith Supports SCHIP Reauthorization

Press Release

Smith Supports SCHIP Reauthorization

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today voted with a bipartisan majority in favor of the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act, legislation that will provide health care coverage to more than 10 million low-income children. The House passed the bill by a vote of 265 to 159.

"Children should get needed care when they are sick. Because of the legislation we passed today, more than ten million children will get the care they deserve. The President should withdraw his veto threat and sign this bill," Smith said.

SCHIP was created in 1997 to help families get medical care when they made too much money to get Medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance. The bill passed by the House this evening will provide states resources needed for outreach to enroll eligible families in the program.

The bill reflects a compromise between the House and the Senate and has broad bipartisan support. Smith was particularly pleased that the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program that were included in the House-passed bill were not included in this final version. These cuts could have jeopardized access to health care for Washington state seniors who rely on the Medicare Advantage program. The bill preserved their ability to get quality health care while bringing more eligible children into the SCHIP program.

The bill also includes language to allow Washington state to keep and use its full federal allocation for SCHIP. When SCHIP was first implemented, Washington state already covered SCHIP-eligible children under our state's Medicaid program and could not use the full federal allotment given to many other states. This bill would allow Washington state to keep and utilize these needed funds to ensure children get health care coverage.

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