Vote number 2009-S031 expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program
on Jan 29, 2009 regarding bill H.R.2 SCHIP Reauthorization Act
Results: Passed 66-32

Congressional Summary:

• Reauthorizes State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through FY2013 at increased levels.
• Gives states the option to cover targeted low-income pregnant women
• Phases out coverage for nonpregnant childless adults.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:

Rep. FRANK PALLONE (D, NJ-6): In the last Congress, we passed legislation that enjoyed bipartisan support as well as the support of the American people. Unfortunately, it did not enjoy the support of the President, who vetoed our bill twice, and went on to proclaim that uninsured children can simply go to the emergency room to have their medical needs met. As the Nation moves deeper into a recession and unemployment rates continue to rise, millions of Americans are joining the ranks of the uninsured, many of whom are children. We can't delay. We must enact this legislation now.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. ROY BLUNT (R, MI-7): This bill doesn't require the States to meet any kind of threshold standard that would ensure that States were doing everything they could to find kids who needed insurance before they begin to spend money to find kids who may not have the same need. Under the bill several thousands of American families would be poor enough to qualify for SCHIP and have the government pay for their health care, but they'd be rich enough to still be required to pay the alternative minimum tax. The bill changes welfare participation laws by eliminating the 5-year waiting period for legal immigrants to lawfully reside in the country before they can participate in this program. In the final bill, we assume that 65% of the children receiving the benefit wouldn't get the benefit anymore. It seems to me this bill needs more work, would have benefited from a committee hearing. It doesn't prioritize poor kids to ensure that they get health care first.

Categorized under Health Care

Voting YES counts for 1 points on VoteMatch question 5:
More federal funding for health coverage;
Voting NO counts for -1 points on VoteMatch question 5.

Voting YES counts as answer B on AmericansElect question 3;
Voting NO counts as answer C on AmericansElect question 3

• A: The Government should be the sole provider of healthcare insurance
• B: The Government should have a major role in providing healthcare insurance
• C: The Government should have a limited role in providing healthcare insurance
• D: Only private companies should provide healthcare insurance
• E: Unsure