September 27, 2007
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 |
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Minority Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 |
Dear Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell:
On behalf of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), I am writing to express our support for H.R.976, the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2007 and urge you to move forward with thisimportant legislation with all deliberate speed. As with all compromises, there are issues that might have beenapproached differently, but we believe that a reauthorization, not an extension, is what should occur and itshould happen before the authorization for appropriations expires on September 30, 2007. H.R. 976 favorably addresses key issues NCSL sought in the SCHIP reauthorization.
This important program provides resources to states to provide comprehensive health care coverage to lowincome children across the country and is widely accepted as a popular, effective complement to the Medicaid program. Earlier this year state legislators asked that the reauthorization bill provide: (1) stable and more predictable funding; (2) equity across the states, recognizing and addressing the different circumstances among the states and the varying needs of their constituents; and (3) a strong role for state legislatures. NCSL also expressed support for the continuation of special provisions for the states that significantly expanded coverage to children prior to the enactment of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program in 1997.
With respect to program funding, NCSL asked that states be provided sufficient funding to: (1) cover existing beneficiaries; (2) permit states to cover more children, including those who are currently eligible but not enrolled; (3) recognize and provide for increased health care costs; (4) improve SCHIP coverage for children in the territories; and (5) adequately and effectively administer the program, including expenditures necessary to conduct outreach activities and to implement new accountability programs and requirements. NCSL also strongly urged you to eliminate the provision in current law that returns unexpended SCHIP funds to the federal treasury and instead retaining these funds in SCHIP to be used to expand or improve health care coverage to children. NCSL believes H.R. 976 largely achieves these goals.
This legislation represents an important investment in the future of our country. The children we insure today will become the healthy workers of tomorrow. NCSL expects the U.S. Senate to make our children proud by securing this health care coverage for them today.
Sincerely,
William Pound
Executive Director
cc: Members, U.S. Senate
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