Rep. Courtney Votes to Expand Children's Health Care, Bill Heads to White House for President's Signature

Press Release

Rep. Courtney Votes to Expand Children's Health Care, Bill Heads to White House for President's Signature

Today, Congressman Joe Courtney voted in favor of H.R. 2, the State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization (SCHIP), more commonly known as HUSKY B in Connecticut. Twice vetoed by former-President George Bush, the measure was passed by the House with a final bipartisan vote of 290-135 and was sent to the White House for President Barack Obama's signature.

"After only a matter of weeks, Congress has overcome the divisive debates of the last two years and finally sent this historic improvement in children's health care to a willing White House," stated Courtney. "With one stroke of the President's pen nearly twenty-five thousand children in Connecticut who currently do not have health care will be on the path to receiving coverage. At a time when working families in Connecticut are struggling to make ends meet, this is exactly the kind of support they need to provide their children with the quality health care they need to thrive."

The SCHIP Reauthorization will significantly reduce the number of uninsured children in Connecticut. More than 14 thousand children are covered by the HUSKY B program in Connecticut.

The SCHIP Reauthorization will extend health insurance to 4.1 million uninsured children nationwide, joining 7.1 million children who are currently enrolled in the program. The program will require reauthorization in 2013.

The bill also provides $100 million in grants for new outreach activities to states, local governments, schools, community-based organizations, safety-net providers and others to streamline enrollment of children who are eligible, but not currently participating in the program.

The program also improves benefits offered to low-income children by including dental coverage and mental health services. As amended by the Senate, because private insurance coverage of dental care is often limited, states will have a new option to provide dental-only coverage to children who are otherwise insured to ensure access to dental services. The legislation also extends coverage to pregnant women so that their babies receive a healthy start to their lives.

Congressman Courtney is pleased that the SCHIP reauthorization will not add to the federal deficit because the program is fully paid for by funding offsets.

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