Washington, D.C.—The House of Representatives today passed legislation that would reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It provides new funding to the states to continue covering 7 million children and to expand health coverage to more than 4 million uninsured children. The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, about today’s vote:
“The legislation passed today, when enacted, will be the largest expansion of health coverage in a dozen years.
“After two vetoes by President Bush of children’s health bills, it shows that ‘yes we can’ take steps to provide affordable, high-quality health coverage for America’s children.
“This help is especially well-timed to provide health security for the many hard-working American families struggling in these tough economic times.
“With this legislation, 11 million children will be assured of a source of affordable, quality health coverage. It protects the coverage for 7 million children now receiving health care through the CHIP program; it will also extend coverage to more than 4 million others—thereby reaching close to half of the currently uninsured children in our nation.
“This legislation augurs well for the broader efforts that lie ahead: The House bill represents a confidence-building down payment toward meaningful health care reform.
“We look forward to working with President-elect Obama and the new Congress toward that end.”
