Webb Supports Passage of Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Calls on President Bush to Sign into Law

Press Release

Webb Supports Passage of Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Calls on President Bush to Sign into Law

Senator Jim Webb today supported the final passage of the House and Senate compromise bill reauthorizing the Children's Healthcare Insurance Program (CHIP). The bill ensures health insurance coverage for the 6.6 million children from low-income families currently enrolled in CHIP nationwide and provides coverage for an additional 3.2 million children. The renewal and expansion of CHIP received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate and will now be sent to the White House for the President to sign into law.

CHIP funds are critical to Virginia, which stands to receive an additional $46.7 million in funding for the Commonwealth's Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan (FAMIS), the name of the CHIP program in Virginia.. Last year in Virginia alone, 137,181 low-income children received health insurance coverage under CHIP, yet thousands more would benefit under this year's legislation. The new CHIP legislation will also improve access to dental and mental health coverage for children.

"We need to strengthen access to quality health care in the United States. I supported the CHIP bill because I am strongly committed to providing health insurance to children from low-income families," said Senator Webb. "The CHIP program has made tremendous progress in improving children's health care, and I'm pleased that Congress signaled its strong financial support for it today.

"On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Virginia's children that will receive healthcare as a result of this bipartisan effort, I urge the President to sign this crucial piece of legislation into law.

"This additional funding for Virginia's FAMIS program will provide health coverage to more of Virginia's children and will build on the Commonwealth's success in reaching out to low- and middle income communities to increase enrollment," continued Webb.

FAMIS has been successful in educating and enrolling children and families that would be unable to afford private health insurance. Virginia's government has worked to expand the program to provide dental care and forward-looking health and wellness programs to prevent future health problems.

Many eligible families fail to take advantage of the FAMIS program. Webb urged Virginians who may lack health insurance for their children to call 1-866-87FAMIS or visit FAMIS's website at http://www.famis.org/.

Source