September 13,2007

Press Contact:

Carol Guthrie (Baucus)

Jill Gerber (Grassley) (202) 224-4515

Finance Leaders Ask HHS To Release Studies On Children’s Health Insurance Program

Baucus, Grassley call for information on outstanding reviews of vital program for kids

Washington, DC - Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking Republican Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release information on a number of Congressionally-mandated and other evaluations of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which appear to be either completed or pending with HHS. CHIP provides health coverage to children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford private insurance. Baucus and Grassley are leading efforts to renew and improve the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Its authorization expires on September 30.

“Accurate, unpoliticized information about the Children’s Health Insurance Program can help Congress in its current effort to get health care to millions of children in America’s working families,” said Baucus. “Studies requested by Congress, as well as other taxpayer- funded information, should be provided to Congress in a timely fashion, and so we’re asking for a progress report from the Secretary now.”

Grassley said, “Congress is in the middle of working to re-authorize CHIP. To make the best possible policy decisions, lawmakers need access to all relevant information about this program, especially from the agency that administers it.”

###