Mollohan on Children's Health Insurance Program

Press Release

Mollohan on Children's Health Insurance Program

Congressman Alan B. Mollohan joined a majority of his colleagues this afternoon in passing legislation to bring health care coverage to an additional 4 million children from lower-income families. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act was passed by a vote of 289-139.

“No parent in the United States should have to choose between paying a child's medical bill and making a rent payment or sending this month's check to the electric company,” Mollohan said. “That was true when we drafted this program back in 1997, and it remains true today. Over the last dozen years, CHIP has turned into one of our real success stories. It has saved lives, relieved suffering, and helped keep millions of families from falling into poverty.”

CHIP provides health care coverage to children in families whose income is too low to afford their own insurance but too high to be eligible for Medicaid. Today's reauthorization would continue coverage for the 7 million children already covered, including more than 38,000 in West Virginia, and extend coverage to an additional 4.1 million children who are already eligible but not enrolled in the program.

“Despite the program's obvious value, President Bush vetoed its reauthorization on two separate occasions,” Mollohan said. “Our ongoing economic downturn has made this bill even more important. Health care costs continue to rise even as employers eliminate jobs and cut back on benefits. I am confident that President Obama recognizes how important this bill is to working families and will sign it into law.”

The legislation, which has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the American Hospital Association, AARP, Families USA, and dozens of other organizations, must be considered by the Senate before being sent to President Obama for his signature.

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