[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             AMENDING TITLE XXI OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3288 is a technical 
corrections bill that will allow New Mexico to use $14 million of its 
unused State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funds for low-
income children's health. Currently New Mexico has approximately $70 
million in unused SCHIP funds which the state cannot access. This bill 
will allow New Mexico to use 20 percent of these funds, or $14 million, 
on low-income children in the Medicaid program. This bill keeps these 
vital health care dollars in New Mexico. It also assures that these 
dollars are used for children's health, for which they were originally 
intended.
  Earlier this year we passed a similar bill signed into law that would 
allow states, like New Mexico, who had expanded their Medicaid programs 
for children before the passage of the SCHIP program to use some SCHIP 
dollars on low-income children eligible for Medicaid. The prior policy 
essentially penalized states that had done the right thing by expanding 
coverage for children under Medicaid.
  Because of a miscalculation in the legislation passed earlier this 
year, New Mexico may be ineligible to use the SCHIP funds in the manner 
intended. This bill would correct that mistake and allow low-income 
children in New Mexico access to important health care dollars they 
deserve.

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