Today, Rep. Henry Cuellar hailed the House passage of the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act that will provide health care to 11 million children nationwide and strengthens the Medicare system. Congressman Cuellar is proud to be 1 of 12 members who co-sponsored the CHAMP legislation.

The legislation includes funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which was established in 1997, and serves low-income uninsured children. Since its inception, the number of children without health insurance has fallen by one third, with only six million receiving access to health care through SCHIP. This program assists children whose family’s income falls above the threshold for Medicaid, but who still cannot afford to purchase medical insurance coverage. 

“We cannot fail America’s children; we must recognize the importance of our youth and provide them adequate access to health care,” said Congressman Cuellar.

Congressman Cuellar is most proud of this legislation because he started the SCHIP pilot program in Laredo, Texas, at Farias Elementary School while he was a member of the Texas Legislature. Because of the pilot program’s success, it later became a statewide program.

The CHAMP Act ensures that the six million children currently enrolled - including 526,406 in Texas - will retain their health coverage after funding for SCHIP expires on September 30. Moreover, an additional five million children who are not enrolled in SCHIP will now be eligible to receive health care services under this legislation.

The legislation also includes a provision that gives states the option to extend coverage for the “aged out” 17-year-old individuals until the age of 24. States are allowed two years to spend their federal SCHIP allotments for each fiscal year.

For the first time, SCHIP funds will provide pregnant women with health care services. The states must meet the criteria, which is intended to expand the number of women eligible for benefits. 

The legislation also includes key provisions that benefit seniors. Seniors are ensured continued access to the doctors of their choice by stopping a 10% payment cut to doctors, are encouraged to seek preventative health benefits by eliminating co-payments and deductibles, are ensured that Medicare stays affordable, and are ensured access to doctors they trust.

Other key provisions of the Medicare section include:
• Assigning the poorest beneficiaries to a plan that would cover 95 percent of the 100 brand and generic drugs most commonly used by Medicare beneficiaries
• Allowing beneficiaries with assets of less than $17,000 – or $34,000 for couples – to qualify for the Medicare Savings Program and Low-Income Subsidy Program which indicates that beginning in 2010, the limit would be increased annually by $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for couples

The bill will now go to the Senate for approval.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.

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