Durbin Says Senate Must Place Health of Children Ahead of Increasing Wealth of Richest Americans

DURBIN SAYS SENATE MUST PLACE HEALTH OF CHILDREN AHEAD OF INCREASING WEALTH OF RICHEST AMERICANS

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said it is a moral priority for Congress to make health care accessible to the more than nine million uninsured children in America.

Durbin introduced an amendment yesterday that called on the Senate to oppose any extension of the capital gains and dividend tax cuts until Congress has taken steps to ensure that all children in America have access to affordable, quality health insurance. The amendment to the Tax Reconciliation bill was defeated, but Durbin vowed to fight for its passage as an amendment on other bills.

"There are nine million children without health insurance, including more than 250,000 children in Illinois. Most of these children come from working class families who were forced to give up their health insurance when they couldn't afford the monthly premiums. The Senate should insist that adequate health insurance for these kids is a higher priority than any more tax breaks for millionaires," Durbin said. "It is time to put the health of children ahead of the wealth of the richest Americans."

Durbin noted that the majority of the benefits of the capital gains and dividend tax cuts go to households with incomes over $1 million.

Durbin applauded the state of Illinois for covering uninsured children. Governor Blagojevich signed a bill this week that created the All Kids program which will offer Illinois' uninsured children comprehensive health care that includes doctor's visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care and medical devices like eyeglasses and asthma inhalers.

Durbin's amendment would have provided grants to states and community and non-profit organizations to facilitate the enrollment of the 6.8 million children who are currently eligible for SCHIP but not enrolled.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=249065&&