Larson Votes To Preserve Children's Health Care, Improve Medicare

Press Release

LARSON VOTES TO PRESERVE CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE, IMPROVE MEDICARE

U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-1), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, today voted in favor of the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act (H.R. 3162), which passed by a vote of 225 to 204.

Larson stated, "To date, the President and Republicans in Congress have found the time and money to blindly put forward nearly $42 billion on reconstruction efforts in Iraq. But they could not find the time nor the effort to ensure that children in our own country have access to health care. It is imperative that we have passed this bill because these are our children. If the President had his way, the coverage of over 20,000 children in Connecticut would be cut. Instead, 50,000 uninsured children in Connecticut will be helped by the bill we have passed today."

Also known as the CHAMP Act, the bill reauthorizes and funds the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) at $50 billion, allowing Connecticut's successful HUSKY Part B program to continue serving children from lower-income families. The bill also improves the Medicare program for seniors by stopping impending cuts to physician reimbursements, improving access to preventive and mental health services, and providing additional help to low-income seniors. Included as well are provisions championed by Larson to halt cuts in Medicare reimbursements to long-term care hospitals, enhance patient quality of care, and protect patient access to these important health care facilities.

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