NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

HOUSE APPROVES MEDICARE, MEDICAID, SCHIP EXTENSION ACT

Dingell Pledges to Pursue Larger Medicare Reform Legislation,Continue Work to Provide Health Care to
More Low-Income Children in 2008

Washington, D.C. – Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today joined his colleagues in approving the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, which the House of Representatives passed under suspension of the rules.

This legislation prevents a scheduled ten percent cut in Federal reimbursements to Medicare doctors for six months and provides a half-percent update in payments. It also extends a number of expiring provisions essential to Medicare beneficiaries, including measures to ensure that seniors in rural areas continue to have access to care. Dingell noted that when Congress returns from the Holidays in January, lawmakers would need to quickly revisit the Medicare issue.

“Though I’m pleased we found a way to ensure that America’s seniors can continue to access their doctors, I’m disappointed we could not do more to improve Medicare this year,” said Dingell. “Without question, more must be done to protect the health of low-income and rural seniors, to support the physicians who care for beneficiaries and to ensure that the Medicare program is fiscally responsible. I encourage my colleagues to rest up over the Holidays, because we will have much work to attend to when Congress returns.”

The bill also extends authorization for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through March 31, 2009. This will maintain coverage for the children who are currently eligible. Although both the House and Senate passed legislation that would have provided health care coverage to 10 million low-income children, President Bush vetoed this legislation twice.

“It’s disgraceful that the SCHIP program was simply reauthorized, not improved, this year,” said Dingell. “Unfortunately, Republicans in the House and Senate have chosen to join the President’s efforts to deny health care to an additional 4 million uninsured children. The legislation we passed today extends SCHIP through 2009 and, by then, I’m hopeful we will have a President who cares about protecting the health of America’s most vulnerable children.”

In addition, the legislation extends funding for Transitional Medicaid Assistance and special diabetes programs. The bill is expected to cost approximately $6 billion and the cost is fully offset, complying with House Democrats’ “pay-as-you go” rules.

View Bill Summary

- 30 -