Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) voted to pass the reauthorization of the State Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide healthcare coverage to 11 million American children.  This bipartisan bill preserves coverage for the 7 million children currently covered by SCHIP and extending coverage to 4 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid. 

“This bipartisan bill saw success in the last Congress and it is crucial at a time when the economy and healthcare are fraying at the edges that we pass this signal of hope to the American people,” said Rep. Blumenauer.  “This reauthorized SCHIP bill will provide a healthier future for more than 70,000 Oregon children.  The time has come for both houses of Congress to pass this investment in the health of America’s future and sent it President-elect Obama’s desk.”

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) voted to pass the reauthorization of the State Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide healthcare coverage to 11 million American children.  This bipartisan bill preserves coverage for the 7 million children currently covered by SCHIP and extending coverage to 4 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid. 

“This bipartisan bill saw success in the last Congress and it is crucial at a time when the economy and healthcare are fraying at the edges that we pass this signal of hope to the American people,” said Rep. Blumenauer.  “This reauthorized SCHIP bill will provide a healthier future for more than 70,000 Oregon children.  The time has come for both houses of Congress to pass this investment in the health of America’s future and sent it President-elect Obama’s desk.”

SCHIP legislation was twice vetoed by President Bush in the 110th Congress, despite bipartisan support in the House and Senate.  SCHIP was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance, and has proved a successful and cost-effective program for providing health care. 

Currently, 63,090 children in Oregon are enrolled in the SCHIP program.  This reauthorization would provide for more than 70,000 children in Oregon by increasing eligibility from 200% of the federal poverty level to include those families whose incomes are under 300% of the federal poverty level.

“We must no longer succumb to indulging in the finger-pointing and partisan recrimination of the past four years at the cost of the health of America’s children,” continued Rep. Blumenauer.  “By passing SCHIP reauthorization we can seize this opportunity to reform our country’s health care policy for a healthier, more prosperous future for all Americans.”