U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Dave Reichert (R-WA), co-chairs of the U. S. House of Representatives Children’s Health Care Caucus, announced their support for the bipartisan package unveiled yesterday to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for two years, permanently fix the SGR (Sustainable Growth Rate) formula for Medicare physician payments, and secure critical funding for community health centers. 

“CHIP ensures that more than 8 million children from working families across America have access to affordable health insurance and care. Our kids’ health is vital to their school achievement and success in life.  It is important to end the uncertainty regarding the continuation of CHIP so that families have peace of mind that they can still afford insurance and see the doctor,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.

“CHIP is one of the most important programs we have to making sure every child has access to affordable, high quality care,” said U.S. Rep. Reichert.  “By extending this program we ensure that our kids can get the care they need and put at ease parents’ fears about whether or not they can keep their insurance and keep their families healthy.”

In addition to this needed extension of CHIP, the bill at long last will replace the broken SGR formula and transition Medicare away from a volume-based system towards one that rewards value and ensures the accuracy of payments. Moreover, it strengthens the quality of care for many older Americans and modernizes Medicare for future generations.

HR2 also secures critical funding for community health centers over the next two years, expanding vital investments and treatments in underserved communities.

“This is a good deal and a big step forward on many of our priorities and in demonstrating how Congress can work together to address key issues,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “Mr. Reichert and I work so well together as co-chairs of the Children’s Health Care Caucus, it’s good to see that the entire House can do so as well.”  

U.S. Rep. Reichert added:  “We have the opportunity to break free from the decade-long cycle of annual ‘Doc Fix’ patches – restoring clarity to the federal budget, stability to providers, and certainty to our seniors. This is meaningful legislation for children, families and seniors.

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