Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today joined more than 40 of his Senate colleagues in introducing a measure to stop the implementation of a policy that would prevent New Mexico from insuring working families through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).  SCHIP is a federal-state partnership created to expand health care coverage to low-income families who do not qualify for Medicaid. 

The bipartisan group of Senators introduced a joint resolution of the Congress that would nullify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' "August 17 Directive," which prevents states from covering individuals above 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($44,000 for a family of three) until vague and overly broad requirements are met.  Even though New Mexico does not currently cover individuals at or above 250 percent of the federal poverty level, the Bush Administration has notified the state that this directive likely will force the state to dis-enroll individuals from the State Coverage Initiative. 

In April the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report stating that the directive is in violation of federal law.  Without intervening Congressional action, the "directive" will go into effect next month.

"I am very concerned that this policy will hurt families.  This is another attempt by the Bush Administration to restrict the ability of states to ensure that low-income Americans have access to health insurance coverage.  At a time when we are facing significant economic difficulties, our goal should be to reach out to all low-income New Mexico families who otherwise would not have access to health insurance," Bingaman said.