¶ … PMI, TRIA, S-CHIP All the Way: Congress, Bush in Holiday Mood. It was published in Best's Review, in February 2008. Of specific interest, in this multi-topic article, is the advancement of State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) legislature.

The article presents four sub-articles including writing on: terrorism, private mortgage insurance, the upcoming primary elections, and, of interest to this paper, S-CHIP legislature developments.

Lehmann (2008) explores the latest development in legislative action, regarding the expansion of the 10-year-old program. President Bush had vetoed the bill to extend the program twice; however, in a turn of events, the President signed the bill that extended the program through March 31, 2009.

Facts presented in the article not only include the new extended date of the program, but other facts were introduced as well. First, the bill provides enough funds that current levels can be maintained for states, and cuts will not be made to the Medicare Advantage program. Also, there is a 0.5% increase for physicians treating Medicare patients, through June 30th.

Although I'm happy to see an extension come through for the S-CHIP program, as I feel this is an important piece of legislature to help protect America's children, it seems like merely a band-aid on the problem. Other legislature extended the program for 5-years and financed the program with an increased tax to cigarettes. However, this was vetoed and did not have the two-thirds majority to override the President's veto. Although it's good news that the program will still continue in the short-term, 2009 will come quickly and then what will happen? Can Congress come to some sort of long-term agreement, or will America be looking for a band-aid come Christmas once again?

References

Gorski, D., Dankawa, D., & Lehmann, R. (Feb 2008). PMI, TRIA, S-CHIP all the way. Best's Review, 108(10). Retrieved March 13, 2008, from MasterFILE Premier.

S-CHIP Advancement