Musgrave Votes for SCHIP Bill and to Protect Medicare

Press Release

Musgrave Votes for SCHIP Bill and to Protect Medicare

Today, Congresswoman Musgrave voted in support of legislation to extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program. She also voted in support of legislation to eliminate reductions in reimbursement payments to doctors that treat Medicare patients. Thousands of Coloradoans have benefited from these important programs and are anxiously waiting for Congress to act before the end of the year. S. 2499, the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, authored by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), will prevent these necessary programs from being reduced or cut while Congress continues the debate on how best to address them for the long-term.

Congresswoman Musgrave has consistently voiced her support for the SCHIP program. Democrat House Leadership put forward a number of initiatives to expand SCHIP that would move middle-class families out of private insurance and on to government run insurance. The proposed Democrat initiatives were guaranteed to receive a Presidential veto. Recognizing the importance of helping low-income families, the Congresswoman introduced the More Children, More Choices Act of 2007 this past October as a compromise to expand the existing program that could gain congressional and executive approval.

"Democrats have quit playing political games and finally put forward an extension of SCHIP that will guarantee families receiving SCHIP will continue to receive insurance for their children," stated Musgrave. "I regret the White House and Congressional leadership did not end this game of political chicken earlier so we could have worked on a meaningful compromise. The legislation I proposed would have provided more assistance to lower middle-income families, but at least we moved forward to take care of those most in need," said Musgrave.

Additionally, Congresswoman Musgrave has worked tirelessly to resolve pending cuts to reimbursement payments for doctors that treat Medicare patients. Colorado physicians would have been negatively impacted by these cuts if Congress had not acted before January 1st. This pending crisis for Colorado physicians has not gone unnoticed by Congresswoman Musgrave. Recently, the Congresswoman joined a bi-partisan group of House members in urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader John Boehner to address this issue immediately and reform the payment system for the long-term.

"Tens of thousands of Colorado's children and seniors depend on these important programs. The end of the calendar year is fast approaching and I am pleased we were able to address these important issues before it was too late," stated Musgrave. "Helping those most in need has always been a priority of mine and I will continue to ensure that government focuses on solutions to help low-income families when they need it most," said Musgrave.

Source