WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz (TX-27) today joined a majority in the House of Representatives in support of bipartisan legislation to provide health care to 11 million children in modest-income families.  The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act was approved by a vote of 289-139.  

“No child should ever go without medical care,” said Congressman Ortiz. “I was proud to back a plan to help improve the health and chance for success for 11 million children, reduce the much more costly use of emergency rooms for primary care, and move us closer to providing every child in our nation with affordable, high-quality health care.” 

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too little to afford health insurance for their children themselves but too much to qualify for Medicaid.  

“This bill will give states the resources and incentives necessary to reach and cover millions of uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid, said Congressman Ortiz.

“After three years of fighting for this legislation, an additional 4 million low-income children will finally receive health care coverage.” 

The measure reauthorizes the SCHIP program through FY 2013 and preserves the coverage for all 7.1 million children currently covered by SCHIP, including coverage of 710,000 children in Texas. 

“With rising unemployment, this children’s health bill is more critical than ever,” stated Congressman Ortiz.  “In this recession, more and more American parents are losing employer-sponsored health care for their children and the need for this legislation is growing every day.”