Max Baucus: “Mr. President, the hallmark of the CHIP program, the Children's Health Insurance Program, is block grants, not…”

“Mr. President, the hallmark of the CHIP program, the Children's Health Insurance Program, is block grants, not entitlements. That is first. Second, it gives the States flexibility. States design their own program. This is a State Children's Health Insurance Program. Different States are different. Different States have different needs. Different States have different costs of living. Different States are different. Many States find themselves in a situation where a law might restrict them. If the States did not have flexibility, many people who earn a little too much might find they cannot get health insurance, and so they quit their jobs. The goal is to get people to work. People want to work. The goal is to make sure people have health insurance. People need health insurance. But in many States, people are just above the level here, and if they can't find health insurance, they quit their jobs so they can be in the Children's Health Insurance Program. I think States should have the right to make some adjustment to keep people working so they get health insurance. Now, if this amendment passes, 30 States will be adversely affected. Children in 30 States will be adversely affected. I don't think we want to do that. States need flexibility. Many Senators in this body have said many times, we shouldn't have one size fits all. We need flexibility.”