WASHINGTON, DC – October 25, 2007 – Fifth District Representative Niki Tsongas today supported a revised version of the bill to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program that will secure health care coverage for 10 million children, including coverage for more than 200,000 children in Massachusetts. 

"I was sworn in one week ago after being elected by tens of thousands of people who want to make sure that all of our children have health insurance," said Rep. Tsongas.  "On that day, I began my service to the Fifth District by voting to override President Bush's veto of a children's health care bill that had overwhelming bipartisan support.  While the Congress was unable to override the President's veto, the Fifth District's message has been heard, and today I again voted with a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives to expand the children's health insurance program.  Every concern that the President has brought up has been clearly addressed in this bill, but he has still threatened to veto this revised version.  I stand with a strong bipartisan majority ready to overturn this veto and give millions of children a chance at a healthy, safe future.  I urge the President to sign this bill." 

The original children's health insurance expansion bill that President Bush vetoed was clear on what children could be enrolled in the program, the fact that undocumented immigrants were not eligible to receive benefits, and that adults receiving benefits were to be phased out. 

Today's bill is even clearer on those points:

• The revised bill further clarifies that the legislation is focused on enrolling low-income children.  Under the revised bill, SCHIP coverage will be capped at 300 percent of poverty.

• The bill further clarifies that the legislation does not allow undocumented workers to get SCHIP.  Under the revised bill, if the Social Security Administration cannot confirm an applicant’s citizenship, the applicant will be required to provide the state with additional documentation to confirm eligibility.

• The revised bill further clarifies that the legislation is focused on prioritizing children’s coverage and phasing out adults.  Whereas under the original bill, childless adults are phased out over two years, under the revised bill they are phased out over one year.

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