Last week, President Barack Obama issued a memorandum lifting President George Bush’s directives on limiting expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), potentially adding up to four million children. (Source)
Obama also signed a bill into law reflecting these changes. The new law reauthorizes and expands SCHIP, offers dental care to children who don’t receive it under private insurance plans, and gives states the option to eliminate a five-year waiting period for pregnant women and for immigrant children to become eligible for the program; however, states must verify that SCHIP enrollees are documented immigrants or citizens.
Last year, Bush twice vetoed versions of the bill that would have expanded SCHIP amid concerns that parents who could afford private insurance would seek coverage under the program, depriving low-income children of coverage. Republicans who voted against the bill also were concerned the bill would expand coverage to adults and illegal aliens.