AHA voices support for SCHIP bill

In a letter to the House today, the AHA expressed “strong support” for the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.R. 2), which could go to the House floor for a vote as early as tomorrow. The bill would continue health coverage through September 2013 for 7 million children enrolled in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and provide coverage for an additional 4 million children who are eligible for the program but not enrolled. The measure would provide roughly $35 billion in funding through a 61-cent federal tax on tobacco products and a provision that would prospectively ban physician self-referral to hospitals in which they have an ownership interest. “The AHA has long advocated for such a ban because of the potential for self-referral to cause a conflict between the needs of the patient and the financial interests of the physician,” the association wrote. “We also support provisions that eliminate the five-year waiting period for optional coverage under SCHIP of legal immigrant children and pregnant women, and that improve coverage of dental and mental health benefits for children.” The bill also would restructure state allotments to cover more children while preventing the shortfalls that have recently plagued the program, the letter notes. Without congressional action, SCHIP is set to expire March 31.