Kicking the SCHIP Can Down the Road Until Next Year

Press Release

Last night, Congressman Aderholt (R-Haleyville) and 49 of his congressional colleagues from both parties sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D- CA 8) calling for a responsible extension of the long delayed State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Instead, Speaker Pelosi called a vote to delay action on a potential SCHIP veto override and is expected to extend the program only until the time of the 2008 elections.

"Democratic Leadership in the House of Representatives continues to act in a calculated manner placing their political priorities ahead of healthcare needs for poor children," said Congressman Aderholt. "While I, along with so many of my colleagues, am frustrated with both parties and the way this issue has fallen into the political gutter, last night's action takes the cake."

In a surprise vote called by Democrat Leadership, the House voted 211 to 180 to delay action on President Bush's veto of the latest SCHIP bill until January 23, 2008, preceding President Bush's State of the Union Address. The bill vetoed by President Bush would have provided coverage for many illegal immigrants along with families making up to $83,000, and also encouraged parents to move their children from private health care onto government funded plans.

"I voted for SCHIP in 1997 because it promises a brighter, healthier future for poor children in Alabama and the children of America. I've never had reason to regret that vote because Alabama's program is working and our children are the better for it. It was a good program then and it is a good program now," Congressman Aderholt continued. "Today Alabama is suffering because of the political games that others want to play. I don't believe you can characterize it any other way when votes on SCHIP are being scheduled to occur one month before national elections in 2008."

SCHIP has been extended only through December 14, 2007. Further action will be necessary and it has been reported that Speaker Pelosi is considering an extension of the program until September 30, 2008, just over a month before the November 2008 elections.

"Last night, I sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi that included a bi-partisan group of 49 of my House colleagues calling for a longer extension of SCHIP. This debate has become so heated that we need to move it outside of the political silly season to a time when cooler, more reasonable heads can prevail. That's the responsible thing to do," said Congressman Aderholt.

In the letter, Congressman Aderholt and his colleagues urge the Speaker for the longer extension as a shorter extension would "cause great difficulty to state health administrators seeking to add eligible children to the rolls in calendar year 2008." Officials have told the Congressman that while Alabama does not currently face a funding shortfall, uncertainty in the program's status could lead them to freeze new enrollments for currently eligible children in late winter or early spring 2008.

To offset this potential problem, Congressman Aderholt has offered a resolution (H. Res. 748) on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives calling for immediate consideration of an SCHIP extension bill. H.R. 3584, the SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 by Congressman Joe Barton (R - TX 6) maintains current law and increases funding levels for 18 months. In Fiscal Year 2008 it provides for $6.5 billion in funding and $3.6 billion for the first 6 months of Fiscal Year 2009. These figures represent a $1.5 billion and $1.1 billion increase respectively. These funds are in addition to the states' roll-over amounts. By guaranteeing current funding levels, and even increasing funding, the program remains secure while the political debate continues in Washington.

Congressman Aderholt concluded, "Now is the time to act, not sit back and see which way the wind is blowing. Congress, and that includes both political parties, can't continue to wait to see who this mess will stick to. It's time for leadership and it's time for a responsible solution. If we can't do that now, let's at least acknowledge it and extend this vital program to a time when we can."

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