Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today voted for a third time to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 289-139.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 would provide health coverage for 11 million low-income children, including over 4 million who are eligible for the program but not yet enrolled. Since its creation in 1997, SCHIP has succeeded in providing health care for children of families whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to buy private insurance. Over 345,000 Illinois children are currently enrolled in the program.

“In the 110th Congress, I voted twice to expand SCHIP but both measures were vetoed by President Bush,” Hare said. “Fortunately, there is a new sheriff in town. President-elect Barack Obama understands that we have a moral obligation to provide our children with the best health care possible.”

Hare said the current recession makes enactment of this legislation even more critical. Today, millions of uninsured children are forced to use the emergency room as a primary care provider, raising premiums for all Americans.  SCHIP coverage makes it easier for parents to seek preventive care for their children and helps lower overall health care costs for working families. “We should have acted to expand this program long ago,” Hare said. “But it is never too late to do the right thing.”