SBHC Capitol Hill Activity

Supporters Rally at NASBHC's 2007 Advocacy Day

Childhood Obesity
State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Federal SBHC Authorization
Proposed Medicaid Cuts
School Health Policies

Childhood Obesity

Due to the incredible power that the school-based health care movement has built over the last few years, Congress is now turning to NASBHC to demonstrate how the school-based health center (SBHC) model is a solution to broader child health care issues.

Jonathan Miller, a former student at Stone High School, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, testified before Congress about how he was able to lose 137 pounds because of the supports provided by his high school SBHC.

The Children and Families Subcommittee of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, chaired by Senators Dodd (D-CT) and Alexander (R-TN) held a hearing entitled “Childhood Obesity: The Declining Health of America’s Next Generation – Part II.” Jonathan, along with the SBHC dietician, Beth Van Helden journeyed to Washington and shared their story among a packed audience, including Congressional staffers and local media, on Capitol Hill.

At the beginning of the hearing, Senator Dodd announced the introduction of the Federal Childhood Obesity Prevention Act. The discussion on this bill will likely occur in 2009. Given Jonathan and Beth’s inspiring story, there is no doubt that SBHCs will play a pivotal role in this legislation.

Click here for Jonathan's testimony

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

Senator Stabenow (D-MI) and Congressman Towns (D-NY) sponsored “ The Healthy Schools Act of 2007”(S. 1669/H.R. 2870), bills to require State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reimbursement for eligible SCHIP services provided in SBHCs to SCHIP enrolled children.
Both bills led to the inclusion of language recognizing SBHCs in legislation to re-authorize
the SCHIP. After two Presidential vetoes, Congress decided to approve SCHIP funding at
current levels until March 2009. NASBHC will continue to build on success and advocate for a stronger SCHIP bill in 2009. We encourage SBHC advocates to take action and educate your members of Congress on the importance of SCHIP reimbursement for services in SBHCs.

One page fact sheet on SCHIP

Full text of S.1669 and H.R. 2870

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Federal Authorization for SBHCs

The School-Based Health Clinic Establishment Act of 2007 (S. 600/H.R. 4230)

The School-Based Health Clinic Establishment Act would authorize a grant-based program for the operation and development of SBHCs, which provide comprehensive and accessible primary health care services to medically underserved children youth and families; improve the physical health, the emotional well-being and academic performance of such populations; and work in collaboration with schools to integrate health into the overall school environment.

The SBHC legislation has been successful in the 110th Congress. There are 22 Senate co-sponsors and 29 House co-sponsor. In November 2007 the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee discussed S. 600 in relationship to Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008 (S.901) to reauthorize the community health center program. The HELP committee decided to include a study from the General Accounting Office (GAO) on the cost effectiveness of SBHCs in S. 901. In December 2007, the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on the School-Based Health Clinic Act of 2007, H.R. 4230, along with the reauthorization of the community health centers and the National Health Services Corps programs. It is a tribute to the impact of our advocacy, strength of the model, and commitment of Congressional leadership that our bill received a hearing only two weeks after the introduction of the bill.

NASBHC continues to advocate for S. 600 and H.R. 4230 to deepen the understanding of and support for SBHCs. We expect to re-introduce both pieces of legislation in 2009.

Resources for the SBHC Establishment Act of 2007

• One-page summary of S 600  and HR 4230 
• Full text of S. 600 and  H.R. 4230
• Congressional co-sponsors
• Dear Colleagues letters from Senators Smith and Dodd and from Reps. Hooley and Capito
• Press release from Senators Dodd and Smith on introduction of S. 600
• Press release from NASBHC on introduction of H.R. 4230
• Full record of the hearing
• Organizational supporters: List of National Organizations and Statement of support from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) 

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Proposed Medicaid Cuts

Children’s Safety Net Protected

The war supplemental measure which contained language placing moratoria on federal regulations issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) passed the Senate and House overwhelmingly. With a vote of 416 to 12 in the House and 92 to 6 in the Senate, child advocates can breathe a sigh of relief – that is until April 2009 when the moratoria for school-based services, targeted case management and rehabilitation services are set to expire. The bill was subsequently signed by President Bush and ensures that the public safety net system for children is protected, extends unemployment insurance for 13 weeks, provides federal aid for the Gulf Coast and Midwest, and provides additional supports for veterans.

Background:

Over the last year and continuing with the President’s new FY 2009 budget proposals, the Administration has issued regulations that will force states to make significant changes to Medicaid. These changes would result in a total reduction in federal Medicaid funding of nearly $15 billion over 5 years. The changes would threaten access to health care for millions of our most vulnerable citizens and result in new pressures on state and local governments, at a time when the fiscal downturn is already straining their ability to maintain critical education, public health, and social services.

Taken together, the regulations would disrupt access to Medicaid services provided to children in schools, including the elimination of the reimbursement that school districts receive for administrative and transportation expenses from the Medicaid program. Under current law, school districts that provide health care services for children with disabilities via health clinics and health professionals are reimbursed for those services by Medicaid. The regulations put new limits on Medicaid payments for safety net hospitals that would cause cutbacks in essential services used by the entire community, such as care for the uninsured, trauma care, and neonatal intensive care. The regulations would limit access to rehabilitation services and case management services for children in foster care, people with physical and developmental disabilities and people with mental illnesses and eliminate federal Medicaid reimbursement for the costs of graduate medical education (GME) provided by teaching hospitals.

For more information visit www.theleanet.com

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School Health Policies

Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008 (S.901)/ Health Centers Renewal Act of 2007(H.R. 1343)

Legislation to reauthorize the federal health centers program, the National Health Service Corps and other programs. The bill provides for a straight reauthorization of the health centers program for another 5 years through FY 2012.

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Bill Cosponsors (House)
Bill Cosponsors (Senate)

Mental Health In Schools Act 2007 (S. 1332/H.R. 3430)

Legislation that would improve access to school mental health services was introduced May 8 by Senators Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Mike Enzi (R-WY). “When left untreated, childhood mental disorders can lead to academic failure, family conflicts, substance abuse, violence, and suicide.” Senator Kennedy said. “Comprehensive school mental health program should be designed for all students. They should obviously include both identification and referral of specific individuals for treatment, but they should also include programs and services that promote positive mental health and prevent mental health problems for a broader population of students.”

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Bill Cosponsors (House)
Bill Cosponsors (Senate)

Full Service Community Schools Act of 2007 (S. 1391/H.R. 2323)

Legislation that would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants for the support of full-service community schools, and for other purposes was introduced May 15, 2007, by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Sen. Benjamin Nelson (D-NE).

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Bill Cosponsors (House)
Bill Cosponsors (Senate)

Protecting Children's Health in Schools Act of 2007 (S. 578/H.R. 1017)

Legislation to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve requirements under the Medicaid program for items and services furnished in or through an educational program or setting to children, including children with developmental, physical, or mental health needs, and for other purposes, was introduced February 13, 2007, by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. John Dingell (D-MI).

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Bill Cosponsors (House)
Bill Cosponsors (Senate)

Healthy Americans Act (S.334/ H.R. 3163)

Legislation that would provide affordable, high quality, private health coverage for every American, regardless of where they work or live was introduced by Senator Wyden (D-OR) and Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA). Specific provisions supporting health care delivered in school-based health centers are included in both bills through allowing reimbursement from this newly established health care system to SBHCs for the services that they provide. The Senate version includes language to establish a federal grant-based program for SBHCs.

Overall the plan, known as the Healthy Americans Act, would:

• guarantee private health care coverage for all Americans;
• provide health benefits equal to those that Members of Congress now enjoy;
• provide incentives for individuals and insurers to focus on prevention, wellness and disease management;
• establish tough cost containment measures that save $1.48 trillion over 10 years; and
• be fully paid for with the $2.2 trillion currently spent on health care in America today.
  

Read Full Text (Senate)
Read Full Text (House)
Bill Cosponsors (Senate)
Bill Cosponsors (House)

Student to School Nurse Ratio Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 6201)

Legislation to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize an HHS grant program for the purpose of reducing the student-to-school nurse ratio in public schools was introduced on June 5, 2008 by Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY).  The legislation would allow CDC flexibility in putting out an RFA that would be practical for reducing the ratio and measuring positive results for health and learning.

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Bill Cosponsors