[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1160-E1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               EXPAND PRIVATE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR KIDS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 1997

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, one out of every seven American children is 
growing up without health insurance. These 10 million children--
including 70,000 in my home State of Minnesota--are less likely to get 
preventive care to keep them healthy, or see a doctor when they get 
sick. These obstacles to health care can lead to harmful and lasting 
effects. For example, children whose ear infections go undiagnosed and 
untreated can suffer from permanent hearing loss.
  Sadly, there are signs that the prognosis for the health of 
American's children is getting worse. The number of families receiving 
insurance sponsored by their employer has declined from 67 percent in 
1987 to 59 percent in 1995. Additionally, premium costs for family 
coverage are on the rise, placing health insurance beyond the reach of 
an increasing number of working families.
  Enough is enough. It is time for all of us to commit to solving this 
problem. Today, I am introducing legislation that takes one step toward 
a comprehensive solution.
  The Children's Health Coverage Improvement Act of 1997 would make 
children's-only policies widely available to families at more 
affordable group rates. Federally regulated self-insured health plans 
would be required to offer these policies as one of the options 
available to their employees.
  Many low-income working families simply cannot find room in the 
family budget to pay the increasingly large premiums for family 
policies. Moreover, many financially strapped single parents cannot 
afford to pay family premiums designed to cover two adults plus 
children. Kids-only policies could provide an answer for these hard-
working and hard-pressed families.
  According to a recent survey of 600 employers, the majority of 
respondents indicated a strong sense of responsibility toward their 
workers and expressed sympathy for those who are uninsured. My 
legislation builds upon this sense of community, and creates a new way 
for employers to make coverage available to children.
  This legislation is also sensitive to employers' concerns that they 
cannot assume further insurance costs. Instead of requiring an employer 
to shoulder a specified portion of insurance costs, this bill allows 
the dynamics of the

[[Page E1161]]

group insurance market to create affordable kids-only policies.
  Shoring up the decline in employer-sponsored health care is one way 
to help get kids insured. Ten million American children need help. It's 
time for all of us--in both the private and public section--to pitch in 
and make sure they get it.

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