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More Information The conference draft A section-by-section review of the conference bill

Urgent Action Alert

Calls Urgently Needed for Children’s Health Insurance

House Vote on SCHIP Is Imminent

September 15, 2007--Today, the House of Representatives will vote on the House-Senate compromise that would extend and expand health care coverage to low-income children through the State’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The bill (H.R. 976, Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act) would provide $35 billion over five years (see the Bazelon Center’s August 6 Mental Health Policy Reporter. The Senate will vote on the compromise bill later this week.

Bill Adds Parity for Children’s Coverage

This critical bill would for the first time establish parity for mental health benefits in SCHIP plans. It would also provide a six-month moratorium on the Administration’s effort to restrict Medicaid rehabilitative services and school-based services, as outlined in the President’s fiscal year 2008 budget proposal and proposed regulations released by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. These two provisions are important victories.

With President Bush threatening to veto SCHIP legislation, it is imperative to garner a veto-proof vote in both the House and Senate. Your call is needed now!

Please Act Today!

Urge your Representative to vote for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program bill. A simple message to help extend health insurance to 4 million more uninsured children!  Call the toll-free number 1-800-828-0498 to connect to the Capitol switchboard and ask for your Representative's office. To find out who your Representative is, click on www.congress.org or www.house.gov and enter your zip code.

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