Summary

S. 95 provides insurance for children by expanding SCHIP and Medicaid, and making health insurance for the child a requirement of the parents eligibilty for federal child tax credit.

Detail

This bill expands Medicaid to all children at or below poverty level, and requires states to cover children at or below 300% of poverty through SCHIP or Medicaid. Parents a required to show proof of insurance for all children under age 19 to avoid losing their federal child tax credit. Any forfeited child tax credits would finance automatic enrollment into the SCHIP program for the children.

States are required to make SCHIP enrollment simpler, automatic and continuous.

Political Context

Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrialized Organizations (AFL-CIO) American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) American Federation of Teachers Americans for Health Care American Public Health Association Every Child Matters Families USA March of Dimes National Association of Children’s Hospitals National Association of Community Health Centers National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems Small Business Service Bureau, Inc. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Auto Workers (UAW)

Additional Links

Kerry press release on S.114(109) (predecessor bill)