Murray Applauds Win for Children's Health

Press Release

Murray Applauds Win for Children's Health

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) helped the Senate pass the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIP), bringing health care for 10 million low-income children across America one step closer to reality. The bill passed by a vote of 66-32. A final version must now be worked out with the House before it can be sent to President Obama.

The 2009 CHIP reauthorization will ensure that the more than 6 million children already enrolled will continue to receive health care. And it will provide another 3.9 million low-income children with coverage.

CHIP will increase funding for Washington state to $94 million, enabling the state to cover nearly 6,000 more uninsured children.

"It's been a long, hard fight, but today we took a huge step closer to ensuring thousands more Washington state children can see a doctor when they're sick," Senator Murray said. "I'm thrilled we finally have a President who agrees that no child should go without health care."

"Especially at a time when so many families are worried about paying the bills, they don't need the added burden of wondering what more they will sacrifice to care for a sick child," Murray continued. "I've heard from so many Washingtonians who say that without CHIP they wouldn't be able to pay the medical bills. This is the type of compassionate, common sense investment our country needs to make in our health care system and in our future. We can't get this bill to President Obama soon enough."

Congress approved CHIP twice in 2007, but it was vetoed by former President Bush both times. Passing CHIP this year has been a top priority for Senator Murray and a bipartisan group of supporters in the Senate and House. President Obama is expected to sign it.

On Wednesday, Senator Murray delivered a passionate speech on the Senate floor, urging her fellow Senators to support CHIP.

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