Rep. Johnson Applauds Senate Support for Children's Health Insurance
Press Release
U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA), a staunch advocate for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) which includes Georgia's PeachCare, says he applauds Senate lawmakers for the 17-4 Finance Committee vote to renew and improve the program. S-CHIP provides health coverage to low-income, uninsured U.S. children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid and who cannot afford private health insurance.
"It is imperative that Congress provide the funding necessary to protect America's children," said Johnson. "I am encouraged by this bipartisan show of support for this critically needed program and I am especially pleased that even more children will soon be enrolled to receive medical, dental, and mental health care."
Rep. Johnson said he is pleased with the Senate funding proposal, which would increase SCHIP funding by $35 billion over the next five years, but he will urge his colleagues in the House to expand the program even more. Johnson supports an increase of $50 billion over the next five years to ensure that all eligible children can be covered. Georgia was one of several states to experience a funding shortfall in Fiscal Year 2007, which led the state to stop accepting new enrollees. Georgia's enrollment ban was lifted last week.
Authorization for the Children's Health Insurance Program expires on September 30. The full Senate is expected to address the Finance-approved S-CHIP renewal package this month, followed by final legislation negotiated with the House of Representatives. The CHIP Reauthorization Act would then be signed into law.
"The House version of the bill, which will be debated and discussed in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will have my full support and I look forward to swift passage of the SCHIP legislation," said Rep. Johnson. "Once it finds its way to the President's desk I am confident that he, too, will be compelled to protect America's children and sign it, post haste."
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