Schakowsky Statement on New Version of SCHIP Reauthorization Act of 2009

Statement

Schakowsky Statement on New Version of SCHIP Reauthorization Act of 2009

U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, joined a bipartisan majority today to support H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act. The bipartisan bill, which passed the House today by a vote of 290 to 135, would provide 11 million children with health care over the next four and a half years. H.R. 2 originally passed the House on January 14, 2009 and the Senate approved the bill with some minor changes.

"After years of trying to extend and expand SCHIP, the Democratic-led Congress has finally delivered on our promise to provide health care to millions of uninsured children. In the last two years, Congress has voted six times to pass or override former President Bush's veto of SCHIP," said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). "Finally, we have a President that will not stand in the way of giving 11 million children health care. I look forward to joining President Obama at the White House later today when he signs this bill into law."

H.R. 2 will reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program until 2013 and will preserve coverage for all 7 million children currently enrolled in the program and extend health care coverage to 4 million additional low-income, uninsured children. The bill will maintain coverage for 345,000 children in Illinois and it would help extend coverage to over 300,000 uninsured children in Illinois. H.R. 2 would also provide dental coverage and mental health parity for all children enrolled in CHIP. The bill would also give states the discretion to cover more women and children by lifting the five year ban for legal immigrants.

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