GOVERNOR SPITZER TEAMS UP WITH CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO PROTECT HEALTH INSURANCE FOR NEW YORK’S CHILDREN

[Congressional Letters in support of Governor Spitzer's Efforts]

Governor Eliot Spitzer today met with members of New York’s congressional delegation to plan the state’s next steps in a campaign to roll back a Bush Administration ruling that blocks a bi-partisan effort to provide affordable health insurance to families across New York State. The Governor met with Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Congressman Edolphus Towns, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Congressman Gregory Meeks.

“We simply cannot stand by and watch 70,000 New York children lose access to the health insurance that the state fought so hard to give them this year,” said Governor Spitzer. “Together, with New York’s congressional delegation, we will ensure that the issue remains at the forefront of the national agenda. We will continue reaching across state borders and, if necessary, making the case in the courts to ensure that the nation’s 11 million children have access to check-ups, immunizations, and developmental screenings that put them on the path to a brighter, healthier future.”

Last month, new federal rules were announced governing the expansion of state plans under the federal State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) blocking New York’s legislatively approved expansion of children’s health insurance, as well as expansions or pending plans in 17 other states and the District of Columbia. The federal decision was based on arbitrary rules that are not supported by the statute that established SCHIP and defies Congressional intent.

Last week the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) rejected New York’s request to expand its eligibility for SCHIP, known in New York as Child Health Plus. Under the New York plan approved earlier this year, approximately 70,000 children in families earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level would be provided access to health insurance.

The grounds for denial of New York’s request were based on new rules announced on August 17 by the federal CMS that apply to all states. They are:

• New York could not prove that 95 percent of children below 200 percent of the poverty level were enrolled in Child Health Plus. New York has one of the highest participation rates – at 88 percent. No state has reached a 95 percent enrollment rate;
• New York’s plan did not require a child to go without health insurance for 12 months – with no exceptions – before becoming eligible for Child Health Plus. New York’s plan to require a six month “crowd out” period, with exceptions, is similar to plans in many other states that have received federal approval for expansions above 200 percent of the federal poverty level; and
• New York’s co-premium requirements were too low because they were not comparable to the private sector or as high as five percent of family income. New York’s co-premium requirements are comparable to amounts set by other states and previously approved by CMS.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said: “What the President doesn’t understand is that even for families well into the middle class, it is very hard to pay for health care. To prevent New York children from being covered is a bad mistake.”

U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton said: “The CHIP program is a vital part of our efforts to ensure that we expand healthcare coverage to more of New York’s children, and Governor Spitzer has taken a lead role in this effort by attempting to expand the eligibility criteria so more children can have the advantage of a healthy start in life. The Administration’s move to deny New York’s waiver application and prevent the State from expanding CHIP is a huge blow to thousands of parents who worry over whether or not they will be able to afford quality healthcare for their children should they get sick. The Administration has looked straight past the bipartisan goodwill that has made CHIP an overwhelming success, and instead is turning a blind eye to the wellbeing and security of the most vulnerable among us. This decision is a grave mistake and I will continue to work with Governor Spitzer and my colleagues to see that children are put first in our country.”

Congressman Charles Rangel said: “It is clear the administration is spoiling for a fight and its unfortunate he has chosen children’s health care. This issue is too important for petty partisanship. So you can be sure that I and the other members of the New York delegation will work hard with our colleagues to overturn this arbitrary and mean-spirited policy this year.”

Congresswoman Nita Lowey said: “Hundreds of thousands of children lack access to health care in New York, and the Administration is denying our state the ability to address this crisis. With this decision, the Bush Administration is demonstrating a stunning disregard for children who do not have access to necessary care. SCHIP is a proven success, and we should be working to keep more -- not fewer -- kids healthy through this program.”

Congressman Gregory Meeks said: “It is unconscionable that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Bush administration's directive would restrict New York State from providing health coverage to so many of our uninsured children. It is vital to rescind the requirements that CMS has imposed on States wishing to extend eligibility requirements for the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Lack of health care coverage prevents early detection and treatment of diseases that disproportionately undermine the health of our children. I commend Governor Elliot Spitzer and my colleague Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey for leading the charge on this issue.”

Congressman Edolphus Towns said: “This is indicative of the current Administration which seems far removed from the people it has sworn to serve. What the State of New York is asking is not unreasonable. Our children deserve quality health care, who possibly can be against that?”

Congressman Jerrold Nadler said: “The Bush Administration’s action undermines the very purpose of SCHIP – to help children. The Administration is fundamentally standing in the way of health coverage for tens of thousands of New York’s children. This is outrageous, but sadly, it is not a surprise. I will fight vigorously on behalf of New York’s working families to ensure that all children in need have access to health care.”

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez said: “There are currently 70,000 uninsured children in New York who will not be eligible to receive health care coverage because of the administration's ruling. CMS’s decision on Friday to deny these youth health insurance is simply reckless and I can assure you that we will continue to fight until our children receive the healthcare they so rightfully deserve.”

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said: “The decision by the Bush administration announced a few weeks ago is an enormous setback for the children of New York and we need to work with the Governor to reverse it.”

With the SCHIP expansion, virtually all children in New York State would have access to affordable health insurance through a combination of Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and private insurance. The initiative is a key piece of the Governor’s patient-first health care reform agenda and is one of the first steps in the Governor’s “Partnership for Coverage” initiative to expand access to health insurance for all New Yorkers through an incremental, building block approach.

State health officials are continuing efforts to aggressively reach out and enroll all those uninsured children who are eligible for coverage under current state and federal rules.

Today’s event is the latest in a series of efforts the Governor has undertaken to draw attention to this issue. The Governor met with Congressman Charles Rangel to announce the Governor’s intention to take legal action against CMS and later met with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. He also announced a joint letter with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the President. Also last week, 25 members of New York State’s congressional delegation, led by Congresswoman Lowey, co-signed a letter asking CMS to rescind requirements imposed on states wishing to extend health insurance to moderate-income families. In addition, six other New York congressional delegation members sent separate letters supporting New York's efforts and urging flexible approaches to child health insurance expansions.

Copies of the letters are below.

- Lowey and Delegation Letter; pdf >>
- King Letter; pdf >>
- Fossella Letter; pdf >>
- Reynolds, Walsh and Kuhl Letter; pdf >>
- McHugh Letter; pdf >>

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