Good News for Children in the National Health Reform Debate

Last week, the Senate Finance Committee finished its process of accepting and rejecting amendments to the Chairman's Mark of the America's Healthy Future Act of 2009 - the Senate's health care reform bill. An important amendment for children, provided by Senator Rockefeller, was accepted by the Committee. The Rockefeller amendment calls for existing Medicaid coverage for children and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to remain in place through at least 2019. This will protect the level of coverage and benefits children will receive in national health care reform.

In addition, an amendment by Senator Bingaman establishes a coordinated and unified enrollment and renewal system for Medicaid, CHIP, and the subsidy program available through the Exchanges for health insurance established by the health reform proposal.