Program Success Christian Reader September 2007 | Page 3

The Christian Reader September 2007 3
Vote Against the Republican
Motion to Recommit
Dear Colleague:
You have recently been receiving misinformation about a provision in the
CHAMP Act that would allow states flexibility in how they verify the
citizenship of the American children applying for or renewing coverage
under Medicaid.
The Republican motion to recommit would remove a provision in the
CHAMP Act that would adversely affect thousands of U.S. citizen children,
children who are among the most medically vulnerable in the state. The so- United States Congresswoman
called illegal immigration argument is a red herring that will only
undermine the CHAMP Act.
Undocumented immigrants have NEVER been eligible for Medicaid and there was NEVER proof that
undocumented immigrants have been illegally receiving Medicaid.
In fact, all evidence points to the fact that American citizens have been locked out of qualifying for
Medicaid. Enrollment has significantly declined in more than 11 states. According to the Center for Budget
and Policy Priorities, newly available data from three states show that African American children are
much more likely than Hispanic children to have their Medicaid coverage delayed, denied, or
terminated as a result of a citizenship documentation requirement that took effect last year. Considering
that 78 percent of undocumented immigrants are from Mexico, Central America, or South America it would
make no sense to attribute a decline in enrollment to undocumented immigrants being denied coverage.
As members of the Congressional Black Caucus, we want to call your attention to this provision that is
important to the health care coverage of African American children who are being unfairly targeted by this
senseless provision. The state of Kansas has reported a 9.1 percent decrease in enrollment in African
American children and the state of Virginia has reported a 5 percent decrease in enrollment. In Alabama
although African American children make up fewer than half of the Medicaid beneficiaries they are
accounting for 60% of the decline.
Access to Medicaid is an issue of critical importance to African Americans because they are
disproportionately more likely than whites to be uninsured. The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the
Uninsured reported in 2003 that 28% of African Americans depend on Medicaid. Without the protection
of Medicaid-the nations’ health care safety net-uninsured African Americans will have no where to turn.
We urge you to stop listening to the campaign of fear and vote against the Republican motion to recommit.
Sincerely,
Corrine Brown
Member of Congress