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March of Dimes Statement on Secretary Thompson's Announcement About SCHIP Expansion
Washington, D.C., January 31, 2002 — The following is a statement by Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes, on Secretary Thompson's announcement today on expanding SCHIP coverage to pregnant women.
The March of Dimes shares Secretary Thompson's goal of improving access to health care for uninsured pregnant women and is pleased to have the administration's endorsement of legislation now pending in Congress that would achieve this important objective. S. 724 and H.R. 2610, the Mothers and Newborns Health Insurance Acts of 2001 introduced by Senators Bond (R-Mo.) and Breaux (D-La.) and by Representatives Lowey (D-N.Y.), Hyde (R-Ill.) and Murtha (D-Penn.), would provide a permanent change in law that gives states the option to expand their State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP) to cover uninsured income-eligible pregnant women age 19 and older.
In addition to broad bipartisan support in Congress, a unanimous vote by the members of the National Governors' Association, and the approval of the National Conference of State Legislatures, 24 national organizations have joined the March of Dimes to promote this permanent change in law.
The March of Dimes is especially appreciative that the Secretary has made it clear that the administration is seeking enactment of this legislation before the end of this year.
The Secretary also announced today that he plans to issue a proposed regulation allowing states to expand eligibility for pregnancy related services under SCHIP. The March of Dimes is concerned about this administrative approach which we believe will complicate the debate and thereby unnecessarily delay coverage for this vulnerable population of women. Congress should instead move immediately to approve a permanent change in the SCHIP statute as proposed in S.724 and H.R. 2610.
Contact: Christina Manero, (202) 261-7582
Matthew Rhodes, (202) 659-1800
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