The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S CHIP) that has been a topic of major debate in congress is having an effect on people in central Virginia. Some want to expand the insurance program to include more families but not all our local lawmakers agree. This national debate is being battled in our backyard.

Keith Groomes is a single dad raising two teenagers and working two jobs. Groomes stated, “It gives me peace of mind knowing that I don’t have another bill on top of my head that I have to somehow fit into my budget. I thought it was in my best interest to join it because unfortunately I’m not in the position to be able to pay the full amount.”

Keith is eligible for Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS), which is Virginia’s name for SCHIP because the money he makes working long hours does not earn him an income more than twice the federal poverty level. But not everyone is so fortunate.

Enrollment coordinator Tara O’Conner said, “It’s sad because even if they are just a little bit over income, it’s not enough over income for them to be able to afford individual insurance for their child or their family.”

In an attempt to help more people, lawmakers are trying to pass a bill that would raise the income limit from 200 percent to 350 percent of the poverty line. A family of four would then qualify if their gross income were below $61,950, instead of the current $41,300 limit.

As is the program has bipartisan support but not everyone is for the increase. Congressman Virgil Goode stated, “I’m thinking about what’s the right thing to do and I don’t agree with the expansion that ends the current deal.” Congressman Goode agrees with the president, and thinks the expansion would help middle class families and illegal immigrants instead of poor children.

Enrollment coordinators disagree and say more people than you think could use the help. Tara stated, “I know there are a lot of people on FAMIS through UVA.”

It is hard to know where to make cuts but for the time being those benefiting from the program are thankful they were inside that line.

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