WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) offered the following remarks on the release of today’s U.S. Census Bureau’s annual report on Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage. The report showed the number American’s uninsured has increased from 44.8 million in 2005 to 47 million in 2006, including an increase in the number of uninsured children from 8 million to 8.7 million.

“The growing number of uninsured Americans illustrates the importance of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP),” said DeGette. “The improved and enhanced SCHIP bill approved by the House will provide quality health care to children across the country. The sharp increase of 700,000 children living without health care should serve as a wake up call to the Bush Administration.

“I strongly encourage President Bush to put politics aside and stand up for America’s children.”