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and then there is this statement:

The Senate bill would increase spending by $35 billion over five years
and the House Democrats would increase spending by more than $50 billion.
Yet SCHIP expansion would do nothing to increase enrollment among children
who are already eligible, and most of the additional children are already
covered by private insurance. According to the Congressional Budget Office
(CBO), of the children who are uninsured for an entire year:
— More than one million children currently qualify for public coverage
but are not enrolled.
— Another 1.1 million do not qualify because they are illegal (or
temporary) immigrants.
— About 403,000 are income-eligible immigrants who have not been legal
residents long enough to qualify for Medicaid benefits.
— In families earning 200 percent to 300 percent of the poverty-level
income, 77 percent of children already have private coverage, according
to the CBO.
— In families earning 300 percent to 400 percent of poverty, 90 percent
of children are already covered by private health insurance.
Both chambers pay for this expansion, in part, by an increase in the
tobacco tax, which disproportionately impacts the poor. The House has also
targeted cutting Medicare Advantage plans, which help low-income seniors.
In addition, there are other, non-monetary costs that have to be taken into
account. For example, children will have less access to health care because
most SCHIP enrollees experience restrictions to care not felt by children
enrolled in private insurance plans.
“Funding for this effort will come from people who have less income
than the families who are purported to benefit,” said Herrick. “Congress
should instead focus on getting more people access to private insurance.”