Congressman Patrick Murphy Voted for the Bipartisan CHIP Reauthorization to Help Hard Working Pennsylvania Families Keep Their Children Healthy

6,700            Bucks County Children Currently Enrolled in SCHIP
162,800        Pennsylvania Children Currently Enrolled in SCHIP

(Washington, D.C.) – An additional 3.8 million children from low income families – including 140,000 here in Pennsylvania – will receive health care thanks to a bill supported by Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District). Late yesterday, Congressman Murphy voted for the bipartisan Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization, which will provide health care coverage for more than 10 million American children. This fiscally responsible legislation maintains current law regarding children’s eligibility, but by investing $35 billion into the health and well-being of American children, the bill provides states with the resources necessary to reach millions of eligible children not enrolled in CHIP. The program 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. This bill is not only good for the short-term with its focus on being fiscally responsible, it also looks after our long-term goals by reducing the load on emergency rooms and lowers across the board health care costs. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act was approved by a vote of 265-159.

“Hard working parents should not have to choose between a visit to the doctor’s office and this week’s groceries. Families across our community are struggling to get by, and we have a responsibility to make sure their children are safe and healthy,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “This bipartisan bill is a strong step toward providing health coverage to all American children.”

“President Bush’s short-sighted veto threat would jeopardize the health of millions of children all over the country. It was just three years ago that the president said he wanted to enroll millions of eligible children into government health insurance programs – it’s time for him to keep his word,” Murphy added.

The bill has garnered a broad range of support from various advocacy organizations and a bipartisan collection of political leaders. CHIP Reauthorization is supported by the American Medical Association, the Healthcare Leadership Council, the American Cancer Society and the Catholic Health Association. It has received broad support from Democrats and Republican leaders including Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL). Congressman Murphy is pleased to see these Republicans join him in criticizing President Bush’s veto threat of this critical bill.

For Immediate Release, September 26, 2007
Contact: Adam Abrams, (202) 225-4276