Walberg and Colleagues Introduce More Children, More Choices Health Insurance Program

Press Release

WALBERG AND COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE MORE CHILDREN, MORE CHOICES HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM

Washington, Oct 18 - U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) today joined House and Senate colleagues to announce the introduction of the More Children, More Choices Act of 2007, a State Children's Health Insurance (SCHIP) alternative bill. Their legislation reauthorizes SCHIP to cover children in families earning up to 200% of the poverty level, provides child health care tax credits to working families between 200% and 300% of the poverty level so they can afford to keep or buy private health insurance, and encourages health care innovation at the state level.

U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg made following statement on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

"This legislation makes sure children in low-income families continue to receive health care by reauthorizing SCHIP and provides working families the ability to purchase quality, private sector health insurance for their children.

"This plan will benefit 312,637 Michigan children by making private health insurance more affordable for their families.

"As I have said throughout the debate, I am in favor of renewing the State Children's Health Insurance Program and this legislation, More Children, More Health Care, returns the program back to its original intent of ensuring poor children receive health care and it also makes health insurance more affordable and more accessible for 10.5 million American middle class children.

"The American people are tired of the political games Congress is playing and this legislation will help guide a bi-partisan compromise so we can finally deliver real results for hard-working American families, already struggling with higher prices for gas, tuition, and in my state, a job-killing $1.5 billion dollar tax hike.

"Our legislation meets the needs of low-income American children, helps children stay in patient-centered private health insurance, provides middle class families with more choices, and does not spend billions of taxpayer dollars for free health care for illegal aliens.

"Our legislation makes health care more affordable and accessible for Michigan families, and unlike the Democrats various SCHIP bills, we do not harm senior citizens or working families.

"I will continue to stand with patients and health care professionals to deliver more affordable and accessible health care and insurance for American children."

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