Rep. Courtney Continues Support of SCHIP for Kids, President Threatens Another Veto

Press Release

Rep. Courtney Continues Support of SCHIP for Kids, President Threatens Another Veto

Legislation Would Extend Coverage to 10 Million Kids Nationwide, Approx. 50K in Connecticut

Washington, Oct 25 - Congressman Joe Courtney today voted in favor of reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), more commonly known as Husky B in Connecticut.

"This fight to provide children throughout Connecticut and across the nation is one that I will proudly join over and over again. The President's threat to veto this thoughtful approach to giving kids an opportunity to a healthy start to their lives is irresponsible and challenges the will of the American people," stated Courtney. "I am committed to the success of this legislation."

The Connecticut Congressman has been a consistent supporter of the SCHIP legislation. The reauthorization will provide approximately 10 million children nationwide with health care coverage and nearly fifty thousand additional kids in Connecticut.

The President recently vetoed the Democratic-led Congress's most recent effort to reauthorize the SCHIP program. A nearly unanimous Democratic-led effort to override the veto failed by just 13 votes after garnering support from only 44 Republican Members.

In an effort to address the concerns of Republicans who previously voted against the reauthorization, the Democratic-led Congress offered revisions and clarifications, including the following:

• Permits States to only receive Federal funding for children covered in SCHIP with family incomes up to $51,510 (300% of the Federal poverty level for a family of 3).

• Clarifies the role of the Social Security Administration in verifying citizenship for purposes of Medicaid and SCHIP 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.

• Clarifies that States will NOT receive Federal funding for payments made to non-citizens.

• Keeps the focus on children by continuing to prohibit coverage of childless adults and prohibit new waivers for parents of children enrolled in SCHIP. States will still be able to cover pregnant women.

• Protects the coverage of the 6.6 million children currently insured through SCHIP.

• Ensures 3.9 million of the lowest-income uninsured children gain coverage.

Source