Last Wednesday, Democrats in the House of Representatives failed to override President George W. Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) expansion bill. Democrats were 15 votes short of the required 2/3 majority needed to override a presidential veto. (Kaiser Network) Last year, Bush twice vetoed a bill that would have expanded SCHIP by $35 million over five years. Mike Leavitt, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said the administration … [Read more...] about House Dems Fail to Override SCHIP Veto
Can CMS Prevent States From Expanding Medicaid?
One ongoing issue in Congress will be whether the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has the authority to prevent states from expanding Medicaid coverage. President George W. Bush twice vetoed measures that would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). According to the Kaiser Network, the administration has restricted states like Ohio, Louisiana, and Oklahoma from expanding SCHIP unless they demonstrate that they've enrolled at least 95 percent of … [Read more...] about Can CMS Prevent States From Expanding Medicaid?
Bush Blocks Medicaid Expansion
A New York Times story elaborates on the idea that the Bush administration is trying to preserve Medicaid for families targeted by the program – low-income families – by preventing states from expanding it. An expansion may extend coverage to families who can afford to buy private health insurance. President Bush twice vetoed a measure that would have expanded and funded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to the tune of $35 billion over five years. The administration, … [Read more...] about Bush Blocks Medicaid Expansion
Senate Votes to Delay Physicians Fee Cut and Extend SCHIP
Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate approved a bill that would delay a 10 percent physicians fee cut for six months. The Senate also voted to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through March 2009. (Kaiser Network) The bill would increase physicians fees by 0.5 percent for six months. Commenting on this action, the American Medical Association (AMA) said: "It is extremely disappointing that after all the hard work in the House earlier this year to replace two … [Read more...] about Senate Votes to Delay Physicians Fee Cut and Extend SCHIP
Bush Vetoes SCHIP Again
For the second time, President George W. Bush has vetoed a bill that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). According to Newsday, lawmakers say they will no longer seek to expand the bill. Mike Leavitt, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said the president would have been willing to sign a bill that would increase SCHIP's funding by only $20 billion over five years instead of the proposed $35 billion over five years. Lawmakers … [Read more...] about Bush Vetoes SCHIP Again
Medicare Budget News
Federal lawmakers are in budget negotiations this week. (Kaiser Network) One program under discussion is Medicare. The House of Representatives version of the Omnibus Appropriations bill includes $50 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage plans. Max Baucus, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Finance Committee, wants to reduce cuts to $20 billion. Lawmakers will continue debating the budget bill today. Additionally, a 2004 moratorium on the building of new physician-owned specialty hospitals … [Read more...] about Medicare Budget News
Politicians Still Sparring Over SCHIP
In October, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Concerned that reauthorization would add $35 billion over five years to the program and that it would expand coverage to adults, illegal aliens, and middle-income families who may be able to afford private insurance, Republicans have been trying to come up with a compromise bill. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has given negotiators until the end of this … [Read more...] about Politicians Still Sparring Over SCHIP
SCHIP Compromise?
Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are trying to reach a compromise on expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). (Kaiser Network) Two weeks ago, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would have added $35 billion to SCHIP over a five-year period. Last week, the House of Representatives passed a modified SCHIP bill, but the vote was not veto-proof. If the two sides of the aisle can reach a compromise, the bill may have a chance of becoming law. However, … [Read more...] about SCHIP Compromise?
More SCHIP Votes
According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Mike Leavitt, President George W. Bush, who vetoed a bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), would accept a bill that increases SCHIP funding by only $20 billion over five years, as opposed to $35 billion over five years. (Kaiser Network) Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a modified SCHIP bill, but the measure still would increase spending by $35 billion over five … [Read more...] about More SCHIP Votes
Will the House Override President Bush’s SCHIP Veto?
Last week, President George W. Bush vetoed a bill that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). His veto caused quite a backlash in the mainstream media and among Democrats. The House of Representatives will vote tomorrow whether to override the veto. The expansion would add $35 billion over five years to the SCHIP program. Republicans who voted against the bill are concerned it will expand coverage to adults, illegal aliens, and middle-income families who … [Read more...] about Will the House Override President Bush’s SCHIP Veto?