Remarks on the Reauthorization of Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009

Floor Speech

Remarks on the Reauthorization of Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 -- (House of Representatives - February 10, 2009)

Madam Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. I want to thank Representative Pallone for introducing the bill, and Chairmen Rangel, Miller, and Waxman for moving it quickly to the floor.

Investing in children's health care is an investment in our future, which will help strengthen our next generation and save health care costs in the long run. With this legislation, we are saying that the phrase ``children are our most precious resource,'' is no longer just a cliche'. We are putting our money where our mouths are. And we are doing it in a fiscally responsible way.

While we all want to balance budgets and control spending, skimping on children's health care simply makes no sense. That's why this small increase in the tobacco tax, about 62 cents a pack, is a smart thing to do. It will deter non-smokers from trying smoking, and it will ensure that we are not adding to our budget deficit.

The CHIP Reauthorization Act preserves the coverage for all 7.1 million children currently covered by CHIP and provides coverage for an additional 4.1 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, CHIP and Medicaid.

Far too often, constituents contact me seeking help with their medical expenses because they have no health insurance. And the lack of health insurance is not for lack of trying. Sadly, even millions who have jobs in this troubled economy lack health insurance. This bill will help those families who should never have had to decide between putting food on the table and taking a sick child to the doctor.

While this bill will not ensure coverage for every single child in the nation, it is a great first start. This bill gives states the option of covering legal immigrant children during their first five years in the United States. Without this provision, parents of children with conditions from diabetes to scleroderma to scoliosis would have to continue to wait up to five years from the time they discovered the condition until they can afford treatment for their child.

Now, states like California can choose to prevent such heartbreaking situations. And I hope they do.

I am committed to working toward quality, affordable, and universal coverage for all in America. While that might seem an unattainable goal to some, the CHIP Reauthorization Act gives me hope that we are on our way.

As an expectant mother who is fortunate enough to have good healthcare coverage, I owe it to my constituents and to all in America to provide them with the same ability to care for themselves and their families. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important bill.

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