Statement by Robert Greenstein on CBO Report on SCHIP

Publication Date: May 2007

Publisher: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Robert Greenstein

Research Area:

Keywords: Economic projections; Health insurance; Income diversity; Federal budget

Type: Report

Abstract:

CBO reports that the SCHIP and Medicaid programs have substantially reduced the percentage of low-income children who are uninsured since SCHIP was established in 1997.   This success occurred despite the substantial erosion of private health insurance that has occurred for adults (including the parents of these children) and children in recent years.  But if SCHIP funding levels are not increased to reflect rising health care costs and other circumstances, CBO estimates that the number of children covered by SCHIP would fall substantially over the coming decade.