Every Child Matters - Casey Kids Amendment hopes to include children in health care reform

Casey Kids Amendment hopes to include children in health care reform

Senator Casey at our "We Can Do Better" Rally on child abuse and neglect deaths on October 21st

Starting this week, the US Senate is beginning debate on a major health care reform package. Yesterday, Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania filed an amendment to that legislation that would have major benefits for children and families by providing greater support to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). Every Child Matters strongly supports this amendment because not only does it guarantee comprehensive coverage for millions of children, it saves the country money and will allow us to reduce the deficit. For more information about this amendment, read the press release from Senator Casey’s office.

Now is the time to encourage the Senate to support this amendment, click here to send a message to your Senators today.

According to Senator Casey's press release, if the amendment becomes law:

   1. CHIP continues with full funding through FY 2019. After the country accumulates real-world experience with the new coverage system established by reform legislation, Congress can make an informed decision whether to move CHIP children into the Exchange. In the meantime, the popular and successful CHIP program will continue to serve millions of low-income children, without forcing them into a new and untested system of coverage that would dramatically raise their health care costs and reduce covered benefits.

   2. In 2016, HHS reports to Congress about the difference between subsidized coverage in the Exchange and children’s coverage through CHIP. This report will inform Congress’ decisions about what happens to CHIP after 2019. If Congress decides to move CHIP children into the Exchange, this schedule allows time for a well-planned transition.

   3. States can count on federal CHIP dollars through FY 2019. From FY 2013 through FY 2019, states will qualify for federal matching funds whenever eligible children receive covered services. CHIP’s financial structure will thus fit with broader reform, in which Medicaid and Exchange subsidies are guaranteed without any rigid dollar limits in federal law. As a result, federal CHIP financing, like Medicaid and Exchange subsidies, will automatically adjust to changing conditions in each state, without artificial constraints locked into federal statute.

   4. States receive generous federal funding for all CHIP children. Starting in FY 2014, the federal government will pay between 88 and 94 percent of CHIP costs, depending on the state. To qualify for enhanced funding, states must implement recognized best practices for streamlining enrollment of eligible children.

   5. Children can count on CHIP eligibility. Through FY 2013, states may not reduce CHIP eligibility below levels in effect on October 1, 2009. Beginning in FY 2014, all states must cover children up to at least 250 percent of FPL.

   6. Children can count on affordable access to essential health care. States may not increase CHIP costs charged to families, except to reflect increases in median income among low-income families after FY 2013. And if a state would cover a service for poor Medicaid children, it must offer that same service to CHIP children.

   7. Families can conveniently apply for children’s coverage using their federal income tax returns. Beginning in calendar year 2014, parents can ask for their federal income tax returns to be used to establish their children’s eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, and subsidies in the Exchange. Unless there is reason to believe that the tax return information is inaccurate, it will determine eligibility whenever possible, without requiring families to complete additional, redundant paperwork. However, no tax information can be disclosed to health agencies unless such agencies have contractual or other legal obligations that, in the judgment of the Treasury Department, fully safeguard taxpayer privacy and data security.

   8. Outreach and enrollment grants begun by CHIPRA continue. Grants of $50 million a year will help community-based organizations and states enroll eligible children into coverage.

   9. Health subsidy programs gain access to the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), which is the nation’s most comprehensive information about quarterly wage earnings and new hires. Programs like Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Unemployment Insurance already use NDNH to verify eligibility. By adding Medicaid, CHIP, and Exchange subsidies to the list of programs authorized to access NDNH, the amendment will prevent eligibility errors, safeguard program integrity, and increase the ability of program administrators to establish eligibility based on recent income data.

10. Any net federal budget savings are shared, 50/50, between deficit reduction and a new Fund for Vulnerable Children and Families. The Secretary of HHS can use this fund to combat infant mortality, help low-income children with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities, and provide health services (including mental health care) to children who are in foster care or homeless.