SCHIP Compromise Reached
On September 25, 2007, the House voted 265-159 to pass a House-Senate compromise (H.R. 976) reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, or “SCHIP.” The Senate subsequently voted 67-29 to also pass the compromise measure. Congressman Platts voted in favor of H.R. 976.
SCHIP was originally established in 1997 with bipartisan support. It provides funds to state programs that assist families in purchasing health insurance for their children. In Pennsylvania, families with incomes up to 300% of the poverty line are eligible. Like many federal programs, SCHIP must be periodically reauthorized by Congress. The current authorization runs through November 16th.
Congressman Platts had voted against a previous SCHIP bill for a variety of reasons (see the August E-Newsletter). Significantly, however, H.R. 976 addressed many of the concerns that had been raised about that previous bill. For example, H.R. 976 contains no cuts to the Medicare program. H.R. 976 also restricts states from setting income eligibility limits at more than 300% of the poverty line as well as prohibits states from providing SCHIP coverage to childless adults. Finally, H.R. 976 prohibits states from providing SCHIP to illegal immigrants.
President George W. Bush vetoed H.R. 976 on October 3, 2007. An attempt to override the veto is expected to fail since the measure did not garner in the House the 2/3rds vote necessary for a veto override. As such, another measure will have to be considered prior to the November 16th expiration of SCHIP.
Congressman Platts Returns from Congressional Delegation Trip
On September 16, 2007, Congressman Platts returned from a bipartisan Congressional delegation trip to Pakistan, Afghanistan, the U.S.S. Enterprise in the Persian Gulf, and a camp in Chad for Sudanese refugees. Other members of the Congressional delegation included Reps. Brian Higgins (NY) and Stephen Lynch (MA).
The trip focused on the military, diplomatic, and humanitarian efforts of U.S. troops and civilian personnel and our allies. In particular, Rep. Platts was able to observe the positive impact U.S. humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan are having on the security situation there. He also was able to discuss the U.S. military mission with troops in the region, as well as see first-hand U.S. led efforts to assist thousands of refugees driven by civil war from the Darfur region of Sudan. The trip was organized by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, upon which all three delegation Members serve.
Web Page Highlights (www.house.gov/platts)
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
On September 10, 2007, the full House adopted a resolution introduced by Rep. Todd Platts recognizing November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. A copy of Rep. Platts’ statement on the resolution is posted to the web site.
(http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/pa19_platts/pancan2007.shtml)
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