DeLauro Joins President Obama for SCHIP Bill Signing
Press Release
DeLauro Joins President Obama for SCHIP Bill Signing
Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro joined President Barack Obama at the White House for the signing of the State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization bill (H.R. 2), which would reauthorize the popular program for the next four and a half years, through 2013. The bipartisan legislation renews and improves SCHIP, providing health care coverage for 11 million children - preserving coverage for the roughly 7 million children currently covered by SCHIP and extending coverage to 4.1 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid.
The House reaffirmed its support of the legislation by a bipartisan vote of 290-135. While the Senate-passed bill closely follows the House bill, it makes only a few minor changes such as adding an option for states to provide dental-only coverage for children who are otherwise insured. The House had previously passed H.R. 2 by a bipartisan vote of 289-139 on 14 January 2009.
"I was thrilled to go to the White House to watch as President Obama signed into law legislation that will provide critical health care coverage for 11 million children under the State Children's Health Insurance Program," said DeLauro. "SCHIP is about recognizing and embracing our nation's most serious and constant challenges - challenges that the federal government has the ability, the capacity, the resources, and the moral obligation to help us meet."
"Children are the last people who should be forced to bear the impact of this economy, and we have a moral obligation to take care of them. In this country, where 9 million children are uninsured, we cannot let another day go by without enacting this legislation. Covering more eligible children is not only the right thing to do - it is also more cost-effective for taxpayers than using the emergency room as a primary care provider. And a healthy child is better prepared for learning and success."
"Last week we took steps to close the wage gap between men and women through enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This week we are taking steps to ensure children across the country have access to affordable health care by renewing the State Children's Health Insurance Program. This Congress is working with President Obama to fulfill America's promise as a place of hope, possibility, and opportunity."
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