Medicaid and SCHIP: FY2007 Budget Issues

Publication Date: February 2006

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

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Abstract:

Current law requires the President to submit a comprehensive federal budget proposal to Congress no later than the first Monday in February. Once it is submitted, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analyzes the President's budget using its own economic assumptions and estimation techniques. Then, the House and Senate Budget Committees each develop a budget resolution after reviewing the President's budget, the views of other committees, and information from CBO. Differences between the houses are supposed to be resolved by April 15, but this deadline is rarely met. Although it is not binding, the resolution provides a framework for subsequent legislative action on the budget (e.g., annual appropriations bills).

The President's FY2007 budget contains a number of proposals that would affect Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Some are program expansions, and others are designed to reduce federal spending. While certain proposals would require legislative action, others would be implemented administratively (e.g., via regulatory changes, issuance of program guidance, etc.). For each of the President's Medicaid and SCHIP proposals, this report provides background information, a description of the proposal, and a list of relevant Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports. It will be updated as the FY2007 budget process unfolds.