House Agrees with Senate; Expands Children's Health Care

Press Release

House agrees with Senate; expands children's health care

The U.S. House today agreed with Senate amendments to reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Coverage program, or S-CHIP, a federal program which helps states cover as many as 11-million uninsured children across the country whose families make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but can't afford health care coverage. In 2007, Hawaii covered 24,000 children through S-CHIP. However, more than 12,000 keiki in Hawaii were eligible, but not covered.

"We have an obligation to make sure that children have access to quality medical care, even if their parents can't afford it," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie. "Without SCHIP last year, 24,000 children in Hawaii would have had to go to a hospital emergency room just to see a doctor. With today's action, 12,300 more children can have basic medical coverage."

"With rising unemployment, this children's health bill is more critical than ever," Abercrombie said. "More and more people right here in Hawaii are losing their jobs, and when they lose their jobs, their health care coverage for themselves and their families is gone too."

"The legislation also strengthens the Hawaii healthcare system by including $20 million in disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments to help local hospitals cover the cost of providing charity care; $10 million will be available next year and $10 million for 2011."

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