Murphy Lauds Signing of Kids' Health Care Law; Thousands More Connecticut Kids to Gain Health Insurance

Press Release

Murphy Lauds Signing of Kids' Health Care Law; Thousands More Connecticut Kids to Gain Health Insurance

Today, Congressman Chris Murphy applauded the speedy passage of H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Bill, and President Obama's swift action to sign it into law. As Connecticut faces economic crisis, this act will protect some of our most vulnerable citizens - children - by expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

"I'm proud that Congress was able to get this bill to President Obama's desk so quickly, and I'm thrilled to see him signing this critical bill into law today. Expanding children's health care coverage to keep Connecticut kids healthy is the right thing to do, both morally and financially. And this is an important first step in the broader plan for health care reform," Murphy said.

President Obama's signing ceremony is a long-awaited event. The SCHIP legislation was passed twice in the 110th Congress, but vetoed by former President Bush both times, despite support from an overwhelming majority of Americans, and broad bipartisan support in Congress.

Nationwide, the law will cover 11 million children, representing an increase of 4.1 million currently uninsured children while phasing out coverage of adults under the program. It also includes an option for states to provide dental-only coverage to close important gaps in many private plans. The bill is fully paid-for by increasing the federal excise tax on cigarettes by 62 cents a pack and also increasing taxes on other tobacco products.

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