Federal Children's Health Directive Found Unenforceable

The Government Accountability Office recently found that a federal policy regarding children's health insurance violated federal law and cannot be enforced. According to the New York Times, the Bush Administration set forth this policy last summer to limit the number of middle-class children receiving federal assistance for coverage under the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The Bush Administration felt this policy was necessary to prevent children from wealthier families from receiving benefits intended for poorer children - and to prevent families from relying on government funds when it is possible that they could afford private insurance policies.

The Bush Administration's policy will remain in effect unless and until Congress acts to reject it. In the meantime, several states, including New York and New Jersey have filed a lawsuit opposing the policy. These states are hopeful that one way or another, the new policy will be rescinded.