CHAMP Act Would Expand Medical Coverage to Immigrants

The Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act, a bill now being debated in the House of representatives, would expand the existing State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and would expand medical coverage to the children of illegal immigrants.  The CHAMP Act, which is sponsored by House Democrats, has been criticized by House Republicans due to three of the bill’s sections regarding immigrants.  

If the bill is passed, under Section 132, the mandatory five-year waiting period for legal immigrants to be eligible to receive government-funded health benefits would be eliminated.  Section 143 of the bill would give each state the option of requiring applicants for Medicaid and SCHIP benefits to provide proof of US citizenship, thereby allowing immigrants to apply for these benefits as well.  Section 233 of the bill would provide federal grants for translation services.

The Republicans introduced a similar bill, but their proposal would restrict how states can use federal money for health care, would limit medical benefits granted to children and would require all applicants for government funded programs to provide proof of US citizenship.

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