Yesterday, President George W. Bush offered his budget for fiscal year 2009 — the nation’s first ever $3 trillion budget. But in it, the president offered more funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
The program for children’s health insurance was previously extended at current funding levels until March of 2009.
President Bush’s new offer would give $20 billion over five years for the children’s insurance program, reported the Washington Post.
But there’s a catch — only children in families earning up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level will qualify for SCHIP coverage. Many lawmakers in support of broader SCHIP expansion had wanted families earning up to 300 percent of the poverty level to be eligible.
The income eligibility cap is meant to limit the expansion of SCHIP coverage.
“SCHIP should be focused on low-income children first, ” said Mike Leavitt, the Health and Human Services Secretary.
A side note:
It’s Super Health Care Tuesday, so don’t forget to vote if your state’s primary or caucus is held today!