,Lott-McConnell SCHIP Proposal Would Fail To Make Progress In Covering Uninsured Children: Proposal also Includes Risky Provisions that Preempt State Health Insurance Laws

Lott-McConnell SCHIP Proposal Would Fail To Make Progress In Covering Uninsured Children: Proposal also Includes Risky Provisions that Preempt State Health Insurance Laws


 

Publication Date: August 2007

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

Author(s): Matthew Broaddus; Edwin Park

Research Area: Health

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

Type: Report

Abstract:

In contrast to the bipartisan Senate Finance Committee bill, the substitute plan that Senators Lott and McConnell would offer would fail to make progress in reducing the number of uninsured low-income children.  The substitute plan also contains provisions that would result in increases in health insurance premiums for small businesses with older and sicker workers (while leading to lower premiums for small firms with healthier workforces).  Finally, it would weaken existing employer-based coverage, because its tax provisions would have the effect of encouraging some employers to no longer offer health insurance.  This analysis explains why the proposal would have these effects.