Statement attributable to:
Ron Davis, MD
AMA President

"The American Medical Association applauds the U.S. Senate for passing legislation that will protect the health of America's kids. The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (S. 1893) will help the millions of American children who currently rely on CHIP, and the many more who are eligible for the program, but not yet enrolled.

"Today, the U.S. Senate did the right thing to preserve health care coverage for children in low-income families. For kids to get a good start in life, they need access to doctors and medications, which CHIP makes possible for many children in the U.S.

"This is a win-win proposal: kids in low-income families get the health care they need, and it is paid for with an increase in federal tobacco taxes that can help deter current and future Americans from using tobacco. Studies show that for every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes, youth smoking is reduced by seven percent, and overall consumption by four percent.

"America's doctors urge Congress to finalize this legislation before CHIP expires on September 30. Congress must preserve access to health care for both America's kids and seniors. The AMA strongly urges the conference committee to include in the final legislation the House provisions in the CHAMP Act (HR 3162) that stop steep Medicare cuts to physicians.

"America's children and seniors are relying on Congress to ensure their continued access to health care."

August 2, 2007

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AMA Also applauds House passage of CHAMP Act (H.R. 3162)
Seniors, kids a step closer to continued access to health care

Statement attributable to:
Edward Langston, MD
Board Chair, American Medical Association


"The American Medical Association applauds the members of the U.S. House of Representatives who voted to pass legislation that preserves access to health care for children and seniors. The House rose to the challenge of making sure that two critical health care issues were addressed before the August recess, and while there is more work to be done, now millions of low-income children and seniors can know that the House is committed to ensuring that they continue to have access to health care.

The CHAMP Act will ensure that two of our most vulnerable populations can get in and see the doctor by renewing the federal health care coverage program for poor children and stopping steep Medicare cuts to physicians caring for seniors. A full 60 percent of physicians tell the AMA that next year's harsh 10 percent payment cut will force them to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can treat. By increasing the tobacco tax and eliminating overpayments to insurance companies offering private Medicare plans, Congress has found two appropriate ways to pay for these important national health care priorities.

"As soon as the Senate passes legislation to renew children's health care coverage, America's doctors urge Congress to expedite the conference process. Congress must finalize the legislation before SCHIP expires on September 30. Working together, we are confident that members of Congress, from both chambers and both sides of the aisle, can find common ground so that children and seniors will continue to have access to needed health care services."

August 1, 2007

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