[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 13, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S1922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. Smith, Mr. Reed, Ms. Snowe, Mr. 
        Harkin, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. Clinton, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Dodd, Mr. 
        Durbin, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Kerry, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Schumer, Mr. 
        Levin, Mr. Akaka, Ms. Cantwell, and Mr. Menendez):
  S. 578. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to 
improve requirements under the Medicaid program for items and services 
furnished in or through an educational program or setting to children, 
including children with developmental, physical, or mental health 
needs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it's a privilege to join my Senate and 
House colleagues in introducing the ``Protecting Children's Health in 
Schools Act of 2006.'' This bill will ensure that the Nation's 7 
million school children with disabilities will have continued access to 
health care in school.
  In 1975, the Nation made a commitment to guarantee children with 
disabilities equal access to education. For these children to learn and 
thrive in schools, the integration of education with health care is of 
paramount importance. Coordination with Medicaid makes an immense 
difference to schools in meeting the needs of these children.
  This year, however, the Bush Administration has declared its intent 
to end Medicaid reimbursements to schools for the support services they 
need in order to provide medical and health-related services to 
disabled children. The Administration is saying ``NO'' to any further 
financial help to Medicaid-covered disabled children who need 
specialized transportation to obtain their health services at school. 
It is saying ``NO'' to any legitimate reimbursement to the school for 
costs incurred for administrative duties related to Medicaid services.
  It's bad enough that Congress and the Administration have not kept 
the commitment to ``glide-path'' funding of IDEA needs in 2004. Now the 
Administration proposes to deny funding to schools under the Federal 
program that supports the health needs of disabled children. It makes 
no sense to make it so difficult for disabled children to achieve in 
school--both under IDEA and the No Child Left Behind.
  At stake is an estimated $3.6 billion in Medicaid funds over the next 
five years. Such funding is essential to help identify disabled 
children and connect them to services that can meet their special 
health and learning needs during the school day.
  This decision by the Administration follows years of resisting 
Medicaid reimbursements to schools that provide these services, without 
clear guidance on how schools should appropriately seek reimbursement.
  The ``Protecting Children's Health in Schools Act'' recognizes the 
importance of schools as a site of delivery of health care. It ensures 
that children with disabilities can continue to obtain health services 
during the school day. The bill also provides for clear and consistent 
guidelines to be established, so that schools can be held accountable 
and seek appropriate reimbursement.
  The legislation has the support of over 60 groups, including parents, 
teachers, principals, school boards, and health care providers--people 
who work with children with disabilities every day and know what is 
needed to facilitate their growth, development, and long-term success.
  I urge all of our colleagues to join us in supporting these children 
across the Nation, by providing the realistic support their schools 
need in order to meet these basic health care requirements of their 
students.

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