Jenkins: Cover Low- Income Uninsured Children First

Press Release

JENKINS: COVER LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED CHILDREN FIRST

"SCHIP was intended to provide high-quality health coverage to children in low-income families that can't afford private health insurance. The current SCHIP is set to expire at the end of March 2009, but before we consider any legislation to extend it, we must ensure the program is serving the neediest children first.

"Proposals to simply expand SCHIP without first guaranteeing coverage to children from families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level should not be considered. Additionally, any legislation that covers illegal immigrants, provides benefits for those who can afford private health insurance, and raises taxes is not acceptable. I recently sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi and President-elect Obama asking that any SCHIP legislation addresses these elements.

"I understand how important SCHIP is to working families. When I served in the Kansas legislature, I championed legislation to provide health coverage to children in low-income families. Legislation to extend the federal SCHIP should go through the full legislative process. I am prepared to bring my experience in the State of Kansas to work with all Members of Congress and with the new Administration to pass responsible legislation that provides health coverage to children in the neediest families first."

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