Georgia beginning March 11 will freeze enrollment in its PeachCare program, the state's SCHIP, because of a $131 million federal funding shortfall for the program, officials said Thursday, the AP/Augusta Chronicle reports. Georgia is one of at least 14 states facing SCHIP budget shortfalls. Democratic lawmakers have asked President Bush to add $745 million to the $93 billion emergency war spending proposal he submitted last week to fund the program through the end of the year. Bush has proposed that states with surpluses in SCHIP funding should more quickly redistribute the excess funds to states with shortfalls. Georgia officials have said PeachCare could run out of money by next month. It is unknown how many children would be affected by the freeze. Children and health advocates criticized the enrollment freeze, saying that state funds are available to close the funding gap while Congress debates reauthorizing the program. Meanwhile, state House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R) on Thursday introduced a bill that would lower the income eligibility for PeachCare to children in families with annual incomes lower than 200% of the federal poverty level. Richardson said, "Until Congress steps up and fulfills their commitment to the people of Georgia, it is prudent to take some steps now to ensure that we can continue to provide PeachCare to our citizens." Richardson's bill would affect about 5.3% of PeachCare beneficiaries. According to the AP/Chronicle, nearly 70% of PeachCare beneficiaries have incomes lower than 150% of the poverty level (AP/Augusta Chronicle, 2/9).

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