The Health Insurance Debate

Congress’ primary focus—and one of its biggest battles—on health care reform this year has been the reauthorization of SCHIP, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which was passed on September 26 in the House (265-159) and Senate (67-29).

While a bill with a good aim—covering the insurance gap for millions of children whose families earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, yet are unable to afford private coverage—the authorization bill has become a vehicle for a partisan debate.