A Move to Insure More Children
April 01, 2005
Earlier this year, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced the Kids Come First Act of 2005 (S 114). The bill, if passed, will amend the Social Security Act to ensure that every uninsured U.S. citizen under the age of 21 whose family income is below the poverty level would receive federally funded health insurance through Medicaid.
Medicaid currently pays for the health care of one in four children, one in three infants, and almost half of the patient care provided by children’s hospitals (National Association of Children’s Hospital’s and Related Institutions, 2005). This accounts for only 22 percent of Medicaid spending.
Currently, there are approximately nine million children under the age of 19 who are uninsured. Three quarters of these uninsured are eligible, but not enrolled in State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or Medicaid. To reduce this gap, the bill will authorize the federal government to give states the funds they need to match or cover 100 percent of the recognized costs of care. The bill also eliminates the cap on SCHIP, extending coverage to more children.
Other essential points are the incentives for parents, such as a refundable tax credit for children’s health insurance coverage. Another benefit is the allowance for states to provide coverage to underinsured children, children of state employees and legal immigrant children.
The bill is already receiving support from the March of Dimes, the American Public Health Association and the National Association of Children’s Hospitals. Kids Come First Act of 2005 has been read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Bill progress can be followed on the Thomas website.
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April 01, 2005
Earlier this year, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced the Kids Come First Act of 2005 (S 114). The bill, if passed, will amend the Social Security Act to ensure that every uninsured U.S. citizen under the age of 21 whose family income is below the poverty level would receive federally funded health insurance through Medicaid.
Medicaid currently pays for the health care of one in four children, one in three infants, and almost half of the patient care provided by children’s hospitals (National Association of Children’s Hospital’s and Related Institutions, 2005). This accounts for only 22 percent of Medicaid spending.
Currently, there are approximately nine million children under the age of 19 who are uninsured. Three quarters of these uninsured are eligible, but not enrolled in State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or Medicaid. To reduce this gap, the bill will authorize the federal government to give states the funds they need to match or cover 100 percent of the recognized costs of care. The bill also eliminates the cap on SCHIP, extending coverage to more children.
Other essential points are the incentives for parents, such as a refundable tax credit for children’s health insurance coverage. Another benefit is the allowance for states to provide coverage to underinsured children, children of state employees and legal immigrant children.
The bill is already receiving support from the March of Dimes, the American Public Health Association and the National Association of Children’s Hospitals. Kids Come First Act of 2005 has been read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Bill progress can be followed on the Thomas website.
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