July 25, 001

Sheets on Congressional Proposals to Use $28 Billion to Expand Coverage for Low-Income Parents

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This year's federal budget resolution has a reserve fund of $28 billion that can be used to help reduce the number of uninsured people in the United States. One of the main proposals that is under discussion and that is likely to be considered by the Senate Finance Committee would give states the option to expand insurance coverage for low-income parents of children who are eligible for Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

An earlier paper (Jocelyn Guyer, Congress Has a $28 Billion Opportunity to Expand Coverage for Families with Children, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, July 2001 at www.cbpp.org ) discussed the general context and the importance of prompt action by Congress. The attached package of fact sheets provide information on a few key aspects of the proposal to expand health insurance coverage for low-income parents: