Senate Approves $50 Billion over Five Years to Expand

Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, today praised Senate leaders for taking strong, positive action to help provide health coverage for all U.S. children. Pollack’s comments came in response to Senate approval today of a budget that includes $50 billion over the next five years for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The House Budget Committee, which has completed markup on its budget, has recommended the same figure for SCHIP.

“The U.S. Senate’s approval today of $50 billion for SCHIP, and a recommendation by the House Budget Committee of an equal amount, is a clear signal that Congress has begun to address the national tragedy of more than 9 million children in this country without health coverage.

“Families USA has worked intensely in the past year to bring this issue to the forefront of congressional consideration. With our coalition partners in the Campaign for Children’s Health Care, we have urged our nation to meet this challenge, and I am pleased to see today’s response from Congress.

“The President in February proposed $5 billion for SCHIP, far short of the amount required simply to maintain current enrollment in this federal-state health care program. Rather than cut children from a program that helps them get a healthy start, we should expand coverage, so that all children have access to health care. The Senate budget of $50 billion will go a long way toward meeting our goal of providing health coverage for all children.

“However, much remains to be done. Congress should complete its work on the budget and move swiftly to reauthorize and expand SCHIP. Let’s build on this success and move forward toward the goal that unites most Americans—quality, affordable health care for all our children.”

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

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