And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 16:27:45 EDT Bill Would Help Older Foster Kids .c The Associated Press By CURT ANDERSON WASHINGTON (AP) -- Thousands of foster children who turn 18 would get job training, education benefits and counseling in how to live independently, under legislation approved Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill, which has bipartisan support in Congress and is backed by President Clinton, would double current federal grants to states for foster programs to a total of $140 million a year to help former foster children make the transition into adulthood. ``These young people must face the difficult, often scary demands of becoming an adult ... all on their own without the safety net provided by a family,'' said Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn., the main GOP sponsor. ``The government is the parents,'' said Rep. Ben Cardin, D-Md. ``How many parents cut off all support to their children when they reach 18?'' The bill, which moves to the full House after the committee's voice vote approval, would help an estimated 20,000 people who leave the foster system each year, according to the Clinton administration. They would be eligible for the aid until age 21. ``I believe we have a responsibility to ensure that these young people have the tools they need to make the most of their lives,'' Clinton said in written statement. Rep. Fortney ``Pete'' Stark, D-Calif., wanted to make the former foster children eligible for mandatory coverage under Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program, at a cost of $400 million over five years. But an amendment by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer, R-Texas, made the coverage strictly optional for the states. Archer noted that Stark's proposal was not paid for and that states opposed the move as an unwarranted federal mandate on them. Even using the optional Medicaid coverage, Johnson said states project coverage for about half the young people leaving the foster system. The bill is fully paid for by a variety of financing mechanisms, one of which is also drawing some opposition. The bill would eliminate a law requiring that the federal government provide as much funding to states for child support collection programs as they did in 1995. Rep. Jerry Kleczka, D-Wis., said this would ``penalize'' many states, but he agreed to withdraw his amendment to restore the law after bill sponsors said it would cost too much at some $60 million a year. The measure would do two other things: Allow Filipinos who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and now live in the Philippines to receive Supplemental Security Income equal to 75 percent of what they would get if they lived in the United States. To qualify, the veteran had to be serving in the armed forces before Dec. 31, 1946. Ensure that Indian tribes are consulted by states about the particular needs of their foster children for the expanded programs and allow them to spend unobligated welfare funds without approval by states. The bill is H.R. 1802. AP-NY-05-26-99 1627EDT Copyright 1998 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
