Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 3.djvu/666

 Ill STAT. 2754 CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS-JUNE 5, 1997 (4) While children represent V2 of all individuals eligible for Medicaid, children account for less than 25 percent of expenditures under the Medicaid Program, (5) Disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding under the Medicaid Program has allowed States to provide health care services to thousands of uninsured pregnant women and children. DSH funding under the Medicaid Program is critical for these populations. (b) SENSE OF THE SENATE.— It is the sense of the Senate that the provisions of this resolution assume that the health care needs of low-income pregnant women and children should be a top priority. Careful study must be made of the impact of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) reform proposals on children's health and on vital sources of care, including children's hospitals. Any restrictions on DSH funding under the Medicaid Program should not harm State Medicaid coverage of children and pregnant women. SEC. 332. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON DEPOSITING ALL FEDERAL GASOLINE TAXES INTO THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND. (a) FINDINGS. —The Senate makes the following findings: (1) Since 1956, Federal gasoline excise tax revenues have generally been deposited in the Highway Trust Fund and reserved for transportation uses. (2) In 1993, Congress and the President enacted the first permanent increase m the Federal gasoline excise tax which was dedicated to general revenues, not the Highway Trust Fund. (3) Over the next five years, approximately $7,000,000,000 per year in Federal gasoline excise tax revenues will be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury, rather than the Highway Trust Fund. (b) SENSE OF THE SENATE. —It is the sense of the Senate that the provisions in this resolution assume that Congress should in the extension of the Budget Enforcement Act, ISTEA reauthorization, appropriations Acts, and in any revenue bills, consider dedicating all revenues from Federal gasoline excise taxes, including amounts dedicated to general revenues in 1993, to the Highway Trust Fund so that such taxes may be used for the purpose to which they have historically been ciedicated, promoting transportation infrastructure and building roads. SEC. 333. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. (a) FINDINGS. — The Senate finds the following: (1) Scientific research on the development of the brain has confirmed that the early childhood years, particularly from birth to the age of 3, are critical to children's development. (2) Studies repeatedly have shown that good quality child care helps children develop well, enter school ready to succeed, improve their skills, cognitive abilities and socioemotional development, improve classroom learning behavior, and stay safe while their parents work. Further, quality early childhood programs can positively affect children's long-term success in school achievement, higher earnings as adults, decrease reliance on public assistance and decrease involvement with the criminal justice system. (3) The first of the National Education Groals, endorsed by the Nation's governors, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush, stated that by me year 2000, every

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