[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12350-S12351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE FOR LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT ACT

 Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, on Monday I introduced S. 2167, the 
Children's Health Insurance for Long-Term Development Act--the CHILD 
bill. In simple terms, this legislation will require private health 
plans to cover all necessary health and screening services for infants 
and children through age 3. But it has a broader purpose. It will close 
the gap between two entities that serve America's children, the health 
system and the school system, by addressing an important health risk 
that has implications for children's educational achievements and later 
development.
  A significant body of research demonstrates that the first 3 years of 
life are critical to children's development--mentally, physically, and 
emotionally. In particular, during the first 3 years of life the human 
brain and central nervous system undergo their most rapid period of 
neurological development. This time period--the Infant Neurological 
Risk Exposure Period--provides both a substantial risk and an important 
opportunity. If we can ensure that children receive the health care, 
parenting, and environmental influences they need during their first 3 
years, we can give our children a strong start in life. If, however, we 
neglect their physical and mental development during this crucial 
period, we have lost an important opportunity to promote learning and 
prevent damage to brain functioning.
  Obviously, there are many influences on a child's early development, 
such as parental influence and childrearing practices, comprehensive 
health care, environment, mental stimulation, and community support. As 
a nation, we have an opportunity and an obligation to provide children 
with a safe, healthy, stimulating environment during their early years. 
This bill takes an important step toward this goal.
  First, this legislation identifies a critical period in children's 
development--the Infant Neurological Risk Exposure Period [INREP]. 
Brain and nervous system development during this period has a long-
lasting impact on the child's life. I hope that by singling out this 
particular timeframe, this legislation will focus greater attention on 
improving health care and supportive services during infancy and early 
childhood.
  Second, this bill will require private health insurers to cover 
comprehensive preventive and curative services through age 3. These 
third-party payors will therefore be financially responsible for the 
care children need to be adequately monitored and treated through this 
important developmental period.
  I was startled to learn that 86 percent of children who are privately 
insured are not covered for comprehensive well-child care. Children who 
receive health coverage through the Medicaid program are covered for a 
comprehensive array of well-child care, diagnostic assessments and 
treatment services through the EPSDT program, yet most children who are 
privately insured do not have similar coverage. Health screenings and 
periodic check-ups provide an important opportunity for physicians to 
ensure that a child's neurological development is progressing along 
normal patterns--and to intervene as appropriate if it is not.
  This comprehensive approach will also address other problems in 
pediatric health care, such as ensuring that children are completely 
covered for immunizations through this time period. This coverage will 
counter current immunization trends that leave 60 percent of children 
in most States with incomplete immunizations at age 2.
  I should also emphasize that this bill, by its very nature, cannot 
help children who are uninsured. We need to pursue further legislation 
that addresses this important problem. In a recent study on children's 
health insurance, the GAO noted that the proportion of children who are 
uninsured--14.2 percent, or 10 million children--is at the highest 
level since 1987. This decline in children's health insurance coverage 
has been concentrated among low-income children.
  Mr. President, all children should have health insurance that covers 
their complete developmental needs. We are the wealthiest, most 
powerful, and most advanced nation on this planet. But it is 
discouraging that we still have so far to go when it comes to caring 
for our own children.
  My friend and respected colleague Senator John Kerry has offered one 
approach to this problem using sliding-scale subsidies; we should 
explore this option and others in order to ensure that America's 
infants and young children achieve their highest potential.

[[Page S12351]]

My proposal represents the first step towards this important goal--the 
next step is health coverage for all children.

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