[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               EXPANDING CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

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                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 6, 1998

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill that will 
enhance the well-being of federal employees' children by improving 
their access to health care. My bill will allow enrollees in the 
Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) to purchase an employee 
and children-only benefit option at a lower cost than current family 
coverage options.
  We have worked hard this Congress to enact far-reaching legislation 
to correct the pervasive problem of children who go without health 
care. The billions of dollars allocated for the new State Children's 
Health Insurance Program in the Balanced Budget Act will help states 
reduce the number of low-income children without health coverage. 
However, I believe we can and must do more to insure the millions of 
children in this country who go without health benefits by expanding 
children's access to health care in the private market
  One barrier to private coverage is the expense of family health 
insurance policies. Many working, financially-strapped families cannot 
afford premiums designed to cover two adults plus children. Since 
children are less expensive to cover than adults, employee and kids-
only policies could provide an affordable option needed by these 
working families.
  My bill helps those federal employees who, because of cost, defer 
purchasing family health coverage. The bill authorizes the Office of 
Personnel Management to offer group-rated employee and children-only 
coverage to enrollees of FEHBP. This new option will make health 
coverage even more affordable by allowing different rates for enrollees 
with one child, two children, or more than two children.
  There is a real need for a health insurance product that better 
addresses the needs of low-income and non-traditional families than 
family policies that are currently available. Group-rated employee and 
children's-only policies would help meet this unfilled need.
  By establishing an employee and children-only coverage option in 
FEHBP's benefits package, this legislation will provide a greater range 
of options and will encourage more federal employees to seek health 
coverage for their children. Finally, it will set an important example 
for other private insurance markets that serve millions more American 
families.

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