June 25, 2007
Senate Bill Would Give SBHCs Medicaid and SCHIP Payments

Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate June 20 would allow states to make school-based health centers (SBHCs) eligible for reimbursement under Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for comprehensive health and mental health services provided to children and adolescents who are enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP. The bill, S. 1669, introduced by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and five co-sponsors, would amend the Social Security Act to make SBHCs eligible entities under the two federal programs that insure children and adolescents whose families are unable to afford private health insurance. Under the proposed legislation, states would be able to pay under Medicaid and SCHIP for “covered items and services” furnished by school-based health centers that deliver primary pediatric and mental health services. The bill, Healthy Schools Act of 2007, can be read and tracked at http://thomas.loc.gov.