Media Center

Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3162, the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection (“CHAMP”) Act, which will reauthorize the highly successful State Children’s Health Insurance Program and ensure thousands of children do not lose their health insurance coverage.

“The CHAMP Act will ensure a greater number of our nation’s children, seniors and rural populations have access to quality health services,” said Scott. “Contrary to what the opposition claims, this bill is not an attempt by Democrats to move towards universal healthcare. The ultimate goal is to secure the health of our nation’s children and make certain those kids participating in Georgia’s Peachcare program are able to remain.”

Created in 1997, SCHIP was intended to insure children whose families are low-income but not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. This bill would reauthorize SCHIP by $50 billion over the next five years to a total of $75 billion and enable some 5 million kids to join the program. In addition to improving access to healthcare for children, this legislation also improves the Medicare program by stabilizing the flawed Medicare physician payment formula.

“Surely, if the President can find billions to fund the war in Iraq, we in Congress can ensure funding for this proven and successful program,” said Scott. “We must also not forget that many of our nation’s soldiers serving overseas depend on this vital program for healthcare services for their families. I believe this is one of the most important healthcare issues being addressed on Capital Hill this year. Failing to invest in our children and health prevention early in life will only result in long term costs in the near future. I refuse to sit back and allow thousands of America’s children to lose this benefit."

The House-passed bill must be approved by the Senate.