February '09 Nevada Government—Shelley Berkley Column

Berkley Named to House Committee on Foreign Affairs

Will Work to Enhance US-European Relations;
Promote Middle East Stability and Lasting Peace

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley has been named to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The move is a return to the panel for Berkley, who previously served as a member of the Committee from 2001 until 2007. The Congresswoman also rejoins the Subcommittee on Europe and the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

“Strengthening transatlantic alliances with the nations of Europe – and our NATO partners in particular – will improve America’s security at home and abroad and will bring greater cooperation on issues from Iran and Afghanistan to the global economic crisis,” said Berkley. “Americans and Europeans share common bonds that date back to our nation’s founding, including a tradition of democracy, commerce and mutual security. Working together, we can address the many challenges that now confront the U.S., the EU and other European nations,” said Berkley.

As Chairwoman of the U.S. delegation to the long-running Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue, Berkley meets regularly with her counterparts in the EU Parliament to discuss issues of shared interest including the war in Iraq, energy independence, combating global climate change and achieving lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. These issues also overlap with the jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

“Lasting peace in Israel cannot begin until there is an end to terror attacks against Israeli families and the communities where they live,” Berkley said. “From my position on the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, I will work to ensure America continues to support Israel’s right to exist within secure borders and to defend its citizens from terrorism.”

“It is also vital that the U.S. and our strategic partners ensure that Iran does not become a nuclear power. The Iranians have threatened Israel and bullied their neighbors for many, many years and this Congress will work with the Obama Administration to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear menace.”

Berkley Votes To Expand Healthcare Coverage For America’s Children - 37,000 More Nevada Kids Eligible Under Enhanced SCHIP

Legislation Protects, Expands “Nevada Check Up” Program

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today (February 4, 2009) voted again for passage of H.R. 2, The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Bill. The bipartisan bill, approved 290 to 135, renews and improves coverage for 23,000 Nevada children now covered under the state’s SCHIP program known as Nevada Check Up. The package also extends coverage to an additional 4 million children nationwide -- including more than 37,000 in Nevada -- and could slash the number of uninsured children in the Silver State by as much as 35%.

“Our legislation protects vital healthcare coverage for the more than 23,000 kids already enrolled at home in the state version of SCHIP, the Nevada Check Up program. Expanding SCHIP will also slash the number of uninsured kids in Las Vegas and nationwide and provide access to the medical and dental care these kids need to stay healthy,” said Berkley. “That means as many as 37,000 additional Nevada children could be covered with healthcare as a result of our package. This expansion of Nevada Check Up will be welcome news for uninsured families worried about what happens -- and how they will pay the cost -- when a child gets sick or has a toothache and needs medical or dental care.”

The plan saves money by reducing the need for emergency room visits by families without healthcare coverage.

“Preventive care saves money and this legislation is a wise investment in keeping America’s kids healthy. Nevada will see a nearly 20% increase in its funding for SCHIP under this package and the $60 million it provides will allow the state to increase the number of families receiving healthcare coverage under this key program,” said Berkley.

Highlights of SCHIP Expansion Package:

Ensures healthcare coverage for 11 million American children. The bill ensures that the roughly 7 million children who currently participate in SCHIP continue to receive coverage. It also extends coverage to 4.1 million uninsured children, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Provides resources for states to reach uninsured children who are today eligible for SCHIP and Medicaid but not yet enrolled. This bill gives states the resources and incentives to reach and cover millions of uninsured children who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid.

Ensures illegal immigrants do not receive coverage under SCHIP. The bill includes a provision explicitly reaffirming that nothing in the act allows for payments for individuals who are not legal residents. In addition, under current law, there is no citizenship documentation requirement for SCHIP. The bill requires, for the first time, that SCHIP programs comply with the citizenship and identity documentation requirements in Medicaid.

Gives states the option of ensuring certain legal immigrant children and pregnant women can access health coverage without delay. The bill gives states the option of covering legal immigrant children and pregnant women who have been here less than five years under SCHIP and Medicaid.

Berkley Expects House To Ok Increase In Healthcare Coverage For Nevada Kids

Legislation Protects, Expands “Nevada Check Up” Program

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley expects swift passage today of H.R. 2, The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Bill. The bipartisan bill, which already passed the House on a previous vote of 289-139 in January, renews and improves SCHIP by preserving coverage for 23,000 Nevada children now covered under SCHIP. The package also extends coverage to an additional 4 million children and could slash the number of uninsured kids in Nevada by as much as 35%.

“Our legislation protects vital healthcare coverage for the more than 23,000 kids already enrolled at home in the state version of SCHIP, the Nevada Check Up program. Expanding SCHIP will also slash the number of uninsured kids in Las Vegas and nationwide and provide access to the medical and dental care these kids need to stay healthy,” said Berkley. “That means as many as 37,000 additional Nevada children could be covered with healthcare as a result of this package and this is welcome news for uninsured families worried about what happens -- and how they will pay the cost -- when a child gets sick or has a toothache and needs medical or dental care.”

The plan saves money by reducing the need for emergency room visits by families without healthcare coverage.

Highlights of SCHIP Expansion Package:

Provides resources for states to reach uninsured children who are today eligible for SCHIP and Medicaid but not yet enrolled. Two-thirds of uninsured children are currently eligible for coverage through SCHIP or Medicaid – but better outreach and adequate funding are needed to identify and enroll them. This bill gives states the resources and incentives to reach and cover millions of uninsured children who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid.