President Signs Legislation Providing Health Care Insurance for 11 Million Children
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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WASHINGTON, DC—House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today joined congressional leaders at the White House for the bill-signing of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization. President Obama signed into law legislation that will provide health care coverage for 11 million children, preserving coverage for the 7 million children currently covered while extending coverage to 4 million children who are eligible, but not enrolled. There are currently 132,000 uninsured children in South Carolina. This legislation could cover 53,300 children in the state—a 40 percent increase in coverage.
“No parent in the United States of America should be forced to choose between providing health care for their children and keeping the lights on in their home. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization comes at a critical time when many American families are struggling under a staggering economy. Today’s action will protect and extend health care coverage to 11 million children in America.
“For every 1 percent increase in unemployment, it is estimated as many as 1.5 million Americans will lose their health care coverage. Our next step in the Congress must be to send to the president the bold economic recovery plan he asked for, that will put people back to work and jumpstart the economy.”
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