"It's very important that we enact this policy," Grassley said. "This ensures that Iowa and other states can continue serving many children in need of health care. No child should go without."
Grassley said he committed to his Senate colleagues in January to redistribute the unspent federal State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) funds through legislation. His legislation, which the Finance Committee passed unanimously in June, redistributes unspent S-CHIP dollars among states that spent all of their allotments. It also allows states a two-year window to cover children with dollars that otherwise would have reverted to the federal Treasury. The bill reflects bipartisan, bicameral support.
More than 16,000 low-income children are enrolled in HAWK-I, the Iowa S-CHIP program. Through the Grassley legislation, Iowa retains $1.4 million that it had returned to the federal government and gains an additional $2.8 million.
The House has passed its own version of S-CHIP legislation. Next, the House and Senate must reconcile their respective pieces of legislation and move to final passage. Grassley said he hopes this happens as soon as possible.