Orrin Hatch: “I have agreed to cosponsor S. 3018, the Beneficiary Access to Care and Medicare Equity Act of 2002, because I believe it…”

“I have agreed to cosponsor S. 3018, the Beneficiary Access to Care and Medicare Equity Act of 2002, because I believe it is imperative we act this year to correct deficiencies in Medicare payment levels that are certain to create hardships for providers and those they serve, beneficiaries. I want to take this opportunity to underscore concerns I have with Section 706 which deals with the process for development and implementation of Medicaid and CHIP waivers. I am sympathetic to the underlying concerns expressed by the sponsors of this provision, especially as they relate to coverage of childless adults under the CHIP program. CHIP was designed to address the needs of children of working parents who made too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but, many times, could not afford private health insurance. I believe that the integrity of the CHIP program must be maintained. For this reason, I have even opposed attempts to expand CHIP to cover pregnant women, because I believe funding should be devoted to providing coverage to uninsured children, preserving the original intent of this legislation. It should come as no surprise to my colleagues that I oppose expanding CHIP under a waiver to cover childless adults.”