Just recently, the U.S. Senate passed the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) which was started in 1997 as an additional health care program to Medicaid. There is one big proposed change in the program this year: the income eligibility will be raised.
According to reports, SCHIP covered 7 million low-income children and Medicaid covered 23 million. The proposed change would almost double the amount of children covered by the health care program. While some look at this as a needed change to the program, others are worried about the toll it will take on taxpayers.
Lawmakers on both sides agree that the program is beneficial to the country but disagree on certain aspects, including eligibility. A proposed tax increase on tobacco is just one way the government is looking to pay for the health care program.
Democrats are looking to move the government toward a national health insurance that is not restricted to low-income families, similar to programs in Europe and Canada.
