Which legislation created the State Children's Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP)?

Question

Options

• ABalanced Budget Act of 1997
• BState Children's Health Insurance Act of 1997
• CKids First Act of 1997
• DOmnibus Reconciliation Act of 1997

• A
  90% (27)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  7% (2)

Explanation

A (Balanced Budget Act of 1997) is correct because SCHIP was enacted as Title XXI of the Social Security Act through the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, signed by President Clinton - a sweeping budget law that contained numerous provisions beyond just children's health coverage.

B is a plausible-sounding distractor, but no legislation called the "State Children's Health Insurance Act" exists - it was never a standalone bill. C ("Kids First Act") is fabricated and has no basis in law. D (Omnibus Reconciliation Act) is a real type of legislation used in other years (e.g., OBRA 1989 expanded Medicaid for children), but it was not the vehicle for SCHIP.

Memory tip: Think "budget = benefits" - SCHIP was bundled into a budget bill because Congress used the projected budget surplus of 1997 to fund children's health coverage, so the Balanced Budget Act is your answer.

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