McNerney Pushes for Health Coverage for 11 Million Children
MCNERNEY PUSHES FOR HEALTH COVERAGE FOR 11 MILLION CHILDREN
Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) supported an effort today to provide health care to 11 million children by voting in favor of H.R. 2, the State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.
"Every young child deserves quality health care. In fact, regular childhood checkups, along with early dental and vision care, are critically important to establishing healthy habits and providing health care security for children in the early stages of their lives," Rep. McNerney said. "I was proud to cast a vote ensuring that 11 million children receive health coverage."
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too little to afford health insurance but too much to qualify for Medicaid. This bill will give states the resources and incentives necessary to reach and cover millions of uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid.
The legislation is similar to two bills considered in the 110th Congress, and vetoed by President Bush, to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program and extend the program to more eligible children.
"Because of this legislation reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program," Rep. McNerney continued, "health coverage for 7.1 million children nationwide, including for 45,000 in Alameda, Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties, is preserved. And coverage is extended to 4.1 million children who are currently uninsured."
The bill is fully paid for by raising the tobacco tax. Raising the tobacco tax also promotes children's health - by discouraging children from smoking. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the 61-cent increase in the tobacco tax means that 1,873,000 fewer children will take up smoking.
"With rising unemployment, this children's health bill is more critical than ever," said Rep. McNerney. "I hope this critical bill will be one of the first bills signed into law by President Obama.
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