P.L. 111–3, Approved February 4, 2009 (123 Stat. 8)

SECTION 1. [42 U.S.C. 1305 note]  SHORT TITLE.

(a)  This Act may be cited as the “Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009”.

SEC. 2. [42 U.S.C. 1396 note]  PURPOSE. It is the purpose of this Act to provide dependable and stable funding for children’s health insurance under titles XXI and XIX of the Social Security Act in order to enroll all six million uninsured children who are eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage today through such titles.

SEC. 108. [42 U.S.C. 1396 note]  ONE TIME APPROPRIATION. There is appropriated to the Secretary, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $11,706,000,000 to accompany the allotment made for the period beginning on October 1, 2012, and ending on March 31, 2013, under section 2104(a)(16)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397dd(a)(16)(A)) (as added by section 101), to remain available until expended. Such amount shall be used to provide allotments to States under paragraph (3) of section 2104(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397dd(i)), as added by section 102, for the first 6 months of fiscal year 2013 in the same manner as allotments are provided under subsection (a)(16)(A) of such section 2104 and subject to the same terms and conditions as apply to the allotments provided from such subsection (a)(16)(A).

SEC. 115. [42 U.S.C. 1396d note]  STATE AUTHORITY UNDER MEDICAID.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including the fourth sentence of subsection (b) of section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) or subsection (u) of such section, at State option, the Secretary shall provide the State with the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for Medicaid with respect to expenditures described in section 1905(u)(2)(A) of such Act or otherwise made to provide medical assistance under Medicaid to a child who could be covered by the State under CHIP.

SEC. 203. [42 U.S.C. 1396 note]  GENERAL EFFECTIVE DATE; EXCEPTION FOR STATE LEGISLATION; CONTINGENT EFFECTIVE DATE; RELIANCE ON LAW.

(b)  Evaluation and Report.—

(1)  Evaluation.—The Secretary shall conduct, by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, a comprehensive, independent evaluation of the option provided under the amendments made by subsection (a). Such evaluation shall include an analysis of the effectiveness of the option, and shall include—

(A)  obtaining a statistically valid sample of the children who were enrolled in the State Medicaid plan or the State CHIP plan through reliance on a finding made by an Express Lane agency and determining the percentage of children who were erroneously enrolled in such plans;

(B)  determining whether enrolling children in such plans through reliance on a finding made by an Express Lane agency improves the ability of a State to identify and enroll low-income, uninsured children who are eligible but not enrolled in such plans;

(C)  evaluating the administrative costs or savings related to identifying and enrolling children in such plans through reliance on such findings, and the extent to which such costs differ from the costs that the State otherwise would have incurred to identify and enroll low-income, uninsured children who are eligible but not enrolled in such plans; and

(D)  any recommendations for legislative or administrative changes that would improve the effectiveness of enrolling children in such plans through reliance on such findings.

(2)  Reports to congress.—Not later than September 30, 2012, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the results of the evaluation under paragraph (1).

(3)  Funding.—

(A)  In general.—Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the evaluation under this subsection $5,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.

(B)  Budget authority.—Subparagraph (A) constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Act and represents the obligation of the Federal Government to provide for the payment of such amount to conduct the evaluation under this subsection.

(e) [42 U.S.C. 1396w-2 note]  Authorization for States Electing Express lane Option to Receive Certain Data Directly Relevant to Determining Eligibility and Correct Amount of Assistance.—The Secretary shall enter into such agreements as are necessary to permit a State that elects the Express Lane option under section 1902(e)(13) of the Social Security Act to receive data directly relevant to eligibility determinations and determining the correct amount of benefits under a State child health plan under CHIP or a State plan under Medicaid from the following:

(1)  The National Directory of New Hires established under section 453(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(i)).

(2)  Data regarding enrollment in insurance that may help to facilitate outreach and enrollment under the State Medicaid plan, the State CHIP plan, and such other programs as the Secretary may specify.

SEC. 211.  VERIFICATION OF DECLARATION OF CITIZENSHIP OR NATIONALITY FOR PURPOSES OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAID AND CHIP.

(d) (2)  Restoration of eligibility.—In the case of an individual who, during the period that began on July 1, 2006, and ends on October 1, 2009, was determined to be ineligible for medical assistance under a State Medicaid plan, including any waiver of such plan, solely as a result of the application of subsections (i)(22) and (x) of section 1903 of the Social Security Act (as in effect during such period), but who would have been determined eligible for such assistance if such subsections, as amended by subsection (b), had applied to the individual, a State may deem the individual to be eligible for such assistance as of the date that the individual was determined to be ineligible for such medical assistance on such basis.

(3)  Special transition rule for indians.—During the period that begins on July 1, 2006, and ends on the effective date of final regulations issued under subclause (II) of section 1903(x)(3)(B)(v) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(x)(3)(B)(v)) (as added by subsection (b)(1)(B)), an individual who is a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe described in subclause (II) of that section who presents a document described in subclause (I) of such section that is issued by such Indian tribe, shall be deemed to have presented satisfactory evidence of citizenship or nationality for purposes of satisfying the requirement of subsection (x) of section 1903 of such Act.

SEC. 213. [42 U.S.C. 1396 note]  MODEL OF INTERSTATE COORDINATED ENROLLMENT AND COVERAGE PROCESS.

(a)  In General.—In order to assure continuity of coverage of low-income children under the Medicaid program and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with State Medicaid and CHIP directors and organizations representing program beneficiaries, shall develop a model process for the coordination of the enrollment, retention, and coverage under such programs of children who, because of migration of families, emergency evacuations, natural or other disasters, public health emergencies, educational needs, or otherwise, frequently change their State of residency or otherwise are temporarily located outside of the State of their residency.

(b)  Report to Congress.—After development of such model process, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report describing additional steps or authority needed to make further improvements to coordinate the enrollment, retention, and coverage under CHIP and Medicaid of children described in subsection (a).

SEC. 301.  ADDITIONAL STATE OPTION FOR PROVIDING PREMIUM ASSISTANCE.

(c)  GAO Study and Report.—Not later than January 1, 2010, the Comptroller General of the United States shall study cost and coverage issues relating to any State premium assistance programs for which Federal matching payments are made under title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act, including under waiver authority, and shall submit a report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives on the results of such study.

SEC. 402.  IMPROVED AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION REGARDING ENROLLMENT OF CHILDREN IN CHIP AND MEDICAID.

(b) [42 U.S.C. 1397hh note]  Standardized Reporting Format.—

(1)  In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall specify a standardized format for States to use for reporting the information required under section 2108(e) of the Social Security Act, as added by subsection (a)(2).

(2)  Transition period for states.—Each State that is required to submit a report under subsection (a) of section 2108 of the Social Security Act that includes the information required under subsection (e) of such section may use up to 3 reporting periods to transition to the reporting of such information in accordance with the standardized format specified by the Secretary under paragraph (1).

(c) [42 U.S.C. 1396hh note]  Additional Funding for the Secretary To Improve Timeliness of Data Reporting and Analysis for Purposes of Determining Enrollment Increases Under Medicaid and CHIP.—

(1)  Appropriation.—There is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $5,000,000 to the Secretary for fiscal year 2009 for the purpose of improving the timeliness of the data reported and analyzed from the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) for purposes of providing more timely data on enrollment and eligibility of children under Medicaid and CHIP and to provide guidance to States with respect to any new reporting requirements related to such improvements. Amounts appropriated under this paragraph shall remain available until expended.

(2)  Requirements.—The improvements made by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be designed and implemented (including with respect to any necessary guidance for States to report such information in a complete and expeditious manner) so that, beginning no later than October 1, 2009, data regarding the enrollment of low-income children (as defined in section 2110(c)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397jj(c)(4)) of a State enrolled in the State plan under Medicaid or the State child health plan under CHIP with respect to a fiscal year shall be collected and analyzed by the Secretary within 6 months of submission.

(d) [42 U.S.C. 1397hh note]  GAO Study and Report on Access to Primary and Speciality Services.—

(1)  In general.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of children’s access to primary and specialty services under Medicaid and CHIP, including—

(A)  the extent to which providers are willing to treat children eligible for such programs;

(B)  information on such children’s access to networks of care; (C) geographic availability of primary and specialty services under such programs;

(C)  geographic availability of primary and specialty services under such programs;

(D)  the extent to which care coordination is provided for children’s care under Medicaid and CHIP; and

(E)  as appropriate, information on the degree of availability of services for children under such programs.

(2)  Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives on the study conducted under paragraph (1) that includes recommendations for such Federal and State legislative and administrative changes as the Comptroller General determines are necessary to address any barriers to access to children’s care under Medicaid and CHIP that may exist.

SEC. 501.  DENTAL BENEFITS.

(c) [42 U.S.C. 247d-9]  Dental Education for Parents of Newborns.—Not later than January 1, 2010, the Comptroller General of the United States shall study cost and coverage issues relating to any State premium assistance programs for which Federal matching payments are made under title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act, including under waiver authority, and shall submit a report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives on the results of such study.

(f) [42 U.S.C. 1396 note]  Improved Accessibility of Dental Provider Information to Enrollees Under Medicaid and CHIP.—The Secretary shall—

(1)  work with States, pediatric dentists, and other dental providers (including providers that are, or are affiliated with, a school of dentistry) to include, not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, on the Insure Kids Now website (http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/) and hotline (1–877–KIDS–NOW) (or on any successor websites or hotlines) a current and accurate list of all such dentists and providers within each State that provide dental services to children enrolled in the State plan (or waiver) under Medicaid or the State child health plan (or waiver) under CHIP, and shall ensure that such list is updated at least quarterly; and

(2)  work with States to include, not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, a description of the dental services provided under each State plan (or waiver) under Medicaid and each State child health plan (or waiver) under CHIP on such Insure Kids Now website, and shall ensure that such list is updated at least annually.

(h)  GAO Study and Report.—

(1)  Study.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall provide for a study that examines—

(A)  access to dental services by children in underserved areas;

(B)  children’s access to oral health care, including preventive and restorative services, under Medicaid and CHIP, including—

(i)  the extent to which dental providers are willing to treat children eligible for such programs;

(ii)  information on such children’s access to networks of care, including such networks that serve special needs children; and

(iii)  geographic availability of oral health care, including preventive and restorative services, under such programs; and

(C)  the feasibility and appropriateness of using qualified mid-level dental health providers, in coordination with dentists, to improve access for children to oral health services and public health overall.

(2)  Report.—Not later than 18 months year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1). The report shall include recommendations for such Federal and State legislative and administrative changes as the Comptroller General determines are necessary to address any barriers to access to oral health care, including preventive and restorative services, under Medicaid and CHIP that may exist.

SEC. 503.  APPLICATION OF PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY FEDERALLY-QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS AND RURAL HEALTH CLINICS.

(b)  Transition Grants.—

(1)  Appropriation.—Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Secretary for fiscal year 2009, $5,000,000, to remain available until expended, for the purpose of awarding grants to Stateswith State child health plans under CHIP that are operated separately from the State Medicaid plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (including any waiver of such plan), or in combination with the State Medicaid plan, for expenditures related to transitioning to compliance with the requirement of section 2107(e)(1)(D) of the Social Security Act (as added by subsection (a)) to apply the prospective payment system established under section 1902(bb) of the such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(bb)) to services provided by Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics.

(2)  Monitoring and report.—The Secretary shall monitor the impact of the application of such prospective payment system on the States described in paragraph (1) and, not later than October 1, 2011, shall report to Congress on any effect on access to benefits, provider payment rates, or scope of benefits offered by such States as a result of the application of such payment system.

SEC. 506.  MEDICAID AND CHIP PAYMENT AND ACCESS COMMISSION.

(b) [42 USC 1396 note]  Deadline for Initial Appointments.—Not later than January 1, 2010, the Comptroller General of the United States shall appoint the initial members of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission established under section 1900 of the Social Security Act (as added by subsection (a)).

(c) [42 USC 1396 note]  Annual Report on Medicaid.—Not later than January 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the States (as defined for purposes of Medicaid), shall submit an annual report to Congress on the financial status of, enrollment in, and spending trends for, Medicaid for the fiscal year ending on September 30 of the preceding year.

SEC. 601.  IMPROVED AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION REGARDING ENROLLMENT OF CHILDREN IN CHIP AND MEDICAID.

(b) [42 U.S.C. 1397ee note]  Final Rule Required To Be in Effect for All States.—Notwithstanding parts 431 and 457 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall not calculate or publish any national or State-specific error rate based on the application of the payment error rate measurement (in this section referred to as “PERM”) requirements to CHIP until after the date that is 6 months after the date on which a new final rule (in this section referred to as the “new final rule”) promulgated after the date of the enactment of this Act and implementing such requirements in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) is in effect for all States. Any calculation of a national error rate or a State specific error rate after such new final rule in effect for all States may only be inclusive of errors, as defined in such new final rule or in guidance issued within a reasonable time frame after the effective date for such new final rule that includes detailed guidance for the specific methodology for error determinations. The Secretary is not required under this subsection to calculate or publish a national or a State-specific error rate for fiscal year 2009 or fiscal year 2010.

(c) [42 U.S.C. 1397ee note]  Requirements for New Final Rule.—For purposes of subsection (b), the requirements of this subsection are that the new final rule implementing the PERM requirements shall—

(1)  include—

(A)  clearly defined criteria for errors for both States and providers;

(B)  a clearly defined process for appealing error determinations by—

(i)  review contractors; or

(ii)  the agency and personnel described in section 431.974(a)(2) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on September 1, 2007, responsible for the development, direction, implementation, and evaluation of eligibility reviews and associated activities; and (C) clearly defined responsibilities and deadlines for States in implementing any corrective action plans; and (2) provide that the payment error rate determined for a State shall not take into account payment errors resulting from the State’s verification of an applicant’s self-declaration or self-certification of eligibility for, and the correct amount of, medical assistance or child health assistance, if the State process for verifying an applicant’s self-declaration or self-certification satisfies the requirements for such process applicable under regulations promulgated by the Secretary or otherwise approved by the Secretary.

(2)  provide that the payment error rate determined for a State shall not take into account payment errors resulting from the State’s verification of an applicant’s self-declaration or self-certification of eligibility for, and the correct amount of, medical assistance or child health assistance, if the State process for verifying an applicant’s self-declaration or self-certification satisfies the requirements for such process applicable under regulations promulgated by the Secretary or otherwise approved by the Secretary.

(d) [42 U.S.C. 1397ee note]  Option for Application of Data for States in First Application Cycle Under the Interim Final Rule.—After the new final rule implementing the PERM requirements in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) is in effect for all States, a State for which the PERM requirements were first in effect under an interim final rule for fiscal year 2007 or under a final rule for fiscal year 2008 may elect to accept any payment error rate determined in whole or in part for the State on the basis of data for that fiscal year or may elect to not have any payment error rate determined on the basis of such data and, instead, shall be treated as if fiscal year 2010 or fiscal year 2011 were the first fiscal year for which the PERM requirements apply to the State.

(e) [42 U.S.C. 1397ee note]  Harmonization of MEQC and PERM.—

(1)  Reduction of redundancies.—The Secretary shall review the Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control (in this subsection referred to as the “MEQC”) requirements with the PERM requirements and coordinate consistent implementation of both sets of requirements, while reducing redundancies.

(2)  State option to apply perm data.—A State may elect, for purposes of determining the erroneous excess payments for medical assistance ratio applicable to the State for a fiscal year under section 1903(u) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(u)) to substitute data resulting from the application of the PERM requirements to the State after the new final rule implementing such requirements is in effect for all States for data obtained from the application of the MEQC requirements to the State with respect to a fiscal year.

(3)  State option to apply meqc data.—For purposes of satisfying the requirements of subpart Q of part 431 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, relating to Medicaid eligibility reviews, a State may elect to substitute data obtained through MEQC reviews conducted in accordance with section 1903(u) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(u)) for data required for purposes of PERM requirements, but only if the State MEQC reviews are based on a broad, representative sample of Medicaid applicants or enrollees in the States.

(f) [42 U.S.C. 1397ee note]  Identification of Improved State-Specific Sample Sizes.—The Secretary shall establish State-specific sample sizes for application of the PERM requirements with respect to State child health plans for fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year that begins on or after the date on which the new final rule is in effect for all States, on the basis of such information as the Secretary determines appropriate. In establishing such sample sizes, the Secretary shall, to the greatest extent practicable—

(1)  minimize the administrative cost burden on States under Medicaid and CHIP; and

(2)  maintain State flexibility to manage such programs.

(g) [42 U.S.C. 1397ee note]  Time for Promulgation of Final Rule.—The final rule implementing the PERM requirements under subsection (b) shall be promulgated not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 605. [42 USC 1396 note]  NO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS; DISALLOWANCE FOR UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES.

Nothing in this Act allows Federal payment for individuals who are not lawfully residing in the United States. Titles XI, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act provide for the disallowance of Federal financial participation for erroneous expenditures under Medicaid and under CHIP, respectively.

SEC. 613. [42 USC 1396u-8 note]  PROHIBITING INITIATION OF NEW HEALTH OPPORTUNITY ACCOUNT DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS.

After the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may not approve any new demonstration programs under section 1938 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u–8).

SEC. 614. [42 USC 1396d note]  ADJUSTMENT IN COMPUTATION OF MEDICAID FMAP TO DISREGARD AN EXTRAORDINARY EMPLOYER PENSION CONTRIBUTION.

(a)  In General.—Only for purposes of computing the FMAP (as defined in subsection (e)) for a State for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2006) and applying the FMAP under title XIX of the Social Security Act, any significantly disproportionate employer pension or insurance fund contribution described in subsection (b) shall be disregarded in computing the per capita income of such State, but shall not be disregarded in computing the per capita income for the continental United States (and Alaska) and Hawaii.

(b)  Significantly Disproportionate Employer Pension and Insurance Fund Contribution.—

(1)  In general.—For purposes of this section, a significantly disproportionate employer pension and insurance fund contribution described in this subsection with respect to a State is any identifiable employer contribution towards pension or other employee insurance funds that is estimated to accrue to residents of such State for a calendar year (beginning with calendar year 2003) if the increase in the amount so estimated exceeds 25 percent of the total increase in personal income in that State for the year involved.

(2)  Data to be used.—For estimating and adjustment a FMAP already calculated as of the date of the enactment of this Act for a State with a significantly disproportionate employer pension and insurance fund contribution, the Secretary shall use the personal income data set originally used in calculating such FMAP.

(3)  Special adjustment for negative growth.—If in any calendar year the total personal income growth in a State is negative, an employer pension and insurance fund contribution for the purposes of calculating the State’s FMAP for a calendar year shall not exceed 125 percent of the amount of such contribution for the previous calendar year for the State.

(c)  Hold Harmless.—No State shall have its FMAP for a fiscal year reduced as a result of the application of this section.

(d)  Report.—Not later than May 15, 2009, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the problems presented by the current treatment of pension and insurance fund contributions in the use of Bureau of Economic Affairs calculations for the FMAP and for Medicaid and on possible alternative methodologies to mitigate such problems.

(e)  FMAP Defined.—For purposes of this section, the term “FMAP” means the Federal medical assistance percentage, as defined in section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396(d)).

SEC. 615. [42 USC 1396b note]  CLARIFICATION TREATMENT OF REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.

(a)  In General.—Nothing in section 1903(w) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(w)) shall be construed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as prohibiting a State’s use of funds as the non-Federal share of expenditures under title XIX of such Act where such funds are transferred from or certified by a publicly-owned regional medical center located in another State and described in subsection (b), so long as the Secretary determines that such use of funds is proper and in the interest of the program under title XIX.

(b)  Center Described.—A center described in this subsection is a publicly-owned regional medical center that—

(1)  provides level 1 trauma and burn care services;

(2)  provides level 3 neonatal care services;

(3)  is obligated to serve all patients, regardless of ability to pay;

(4)  is located within a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) that includes at least 3 States;

(5)  provides services as a tertiary care provider for patients residing within a 125-mile radius; and

(6)  meets the criteria for a disproportionate share hospital under section 1923 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-4) in at least one State other than the State in which the center is located.

SEC. 617.  GAO REPORT ON MEDICAID MANAGED CARE PAYMENT RATES.

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives analyzing the extent to which State payment rates for medicaid managed care organizations under Medicaid are actuarially sound.

SEC. 621. [15 USC 657p]  OUTREACH REGARDING HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN.

(a)  Definitions.—In this section—

(1)  the terms “Administration” and “Administrator” means the Small Business Administration and the Administrator thereof, respectively;

(2)  the term “certified development company” means a development company participating in the program under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.);

(3)  the term “Medicaid program” means the program established under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.);

(4)  the term “Service Corps of Retired Executives” means the Service Corps of Retired Executives authorized by section 8(b)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1));

(5)  the term “small business concern” has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632);

(6)  the term “small business development center” means a small business development center described in section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648);

(7)  the term “State” has the meaning given that term for purposes of title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.);

(8)  the term “State Children’s Health Insurance Program” means the State Children’s Health Insurance Program established under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.);

(9)  the term “task force” means the task force established under subsection (b)(1); and

(10)  the term “women’s business center” means a women’s business center described in section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656).

(b)  Establishment of Task Force.—

(1)  Establishment.—There is established a task force to conduct a nationwide campaign of education and outreach for small business concerns regarding the availability of coverage for children through private insurance options, the Medicaid program, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

(2)  Membership.—The task force shall consist of the Administrator, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of the Treasury.

(3)  Responsibilities.—The campaign conducted under this subsection shall include—

(A)  efforts to educate the owners of small business concerns about the value of health coverage for children;

(B)  information regarding options available to the owners and employees of small business concerns to make insurance more affordable, including Federal and State tax deductions and credits for health care-related expenses and health insurance expenses and Federal tax exclusion for health insurance options available under employer-sponsored cafeteria plans under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

(C)  efforts to educate the owners of small business concerns about assistance available through public programs; and

(D)  efforts to educate the owners and employees of small business concerns regarding the availability of the hotline operated as part of the Insure Kids Now program of the Department of Health and Human Services.

(4)  Implementation.—In carrying out this subsection, the task force may—

(A)  use any business partner of the Administration, including—

(i)  a small business development center;

(ii)  a certified development company;

(iii)  a women’s business center; and

(iv)  the Service Corps of Retired Executives;

(B)  enter into—

(i)  a memorandum of understanding with a chamber of commerce; and

(ii)  a partnership with any appropriate small business concern or health advocacy group; and

(C)  designate outreach programs at regional offices of the Department of Health and Human Services to work with district offices of the Administration.

(5)  Website.—The Administrator shall ensure that links to information on the eligibility and enrollment requirements for the Medicaid program and State Children’s Health Insurance Program of each State are prominently displayed on the website of the Administration.

(6)  Report.—

(A)  In general.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report on the status of the nationwide campaign conducted under paragraph (1).

(B)  Contents.—Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include a status update on all efforts made to educate owners and employees of small business concerns on options for providing health insurance for children through public and private alternatives.

SEC. 622.  SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND MEANINGFUL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

(a)  Findings.—The Senate finds the following:

(1)  There are approximately 45 million Americans currently without health insurance.

(2)  More than half of uninsured workers are employed by businesses with less than 25 employees or are self-employed.

(3)  Health insurance premiums continue to rise at more than twice the rate of inflation for all consumer goods.

(4)  Individuals in the small group and individual health insurance markets usually pay more for similar coverage than those in the large group market.

(5)  The rapid growth in health insurance costs over the last few years has forced many employers, particularly small employers, to increase deductibles and co-pays or to drop coverage completely.

(b)  Sense of the Senate.—The Senate—

(1)  recognizes the necessity to improve affordability and access to health insurance for all Americans;

(2)  acknowledges the value of building upon the existing private health insurance market; and

(3)  affirms its intent to enact legislation this year that, with appropriate protection for consumers, improves access to affordable and meaningful health insurance coverage for employees of small businesses and individuals by—

(A)  facilitating pooling mechanisms, including pooling across State lines, and

(B)  providing assistance to small businesses and individuals, including financial assistance and tax incentives, for the purchase of private insurance coverage.