Paul Simon's Org: Mixed Grades on House Health Bill

When Paul Simon lobbied Capitol Hill in September, he asked lawmakers not to forget children in their quest to reform health care. Along with Dr. Irwin Redlener, with whom he founded the Children's Health Fund, Simon appeared at a well-publicized event with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (who had a few Simon & Garfunkel puns).

On Wednesday, their org unveiled a report card on the recently passed House bill, and the results were mixed. The bill earned an A minus for its mandate that all children have coverage, but a C minus grade on affordability. "For certain low-income families the subsidies are not sufficient to ensure health care is affordable," according to their report card.

The bill also gets a C minus on the question of whether children who are currently in the Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid will have the same or better coverage under the new plan.

Children's Health Fund also is concerned with the bill's ability to provide comprehensive coverage for children, and raises doubts on whether it provides enough in the way of incentives to meet the growing need for a pediatric workforce.

The org gives the bill a B grade on the question of whether it sufficiently reimburses providers for children's health.

Overall, the Fund praised the passage of the bill, but urged lawmakers to revisit portions that have to do with the access and affordability of coverage for children. If not, a return visit by Simon is always a possibility.

The complete report card is here.

Photo: Getty Images.