WASHINGTON, DC — The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2, the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, by a vote of 290-135.  This landmark, bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which currently provides health insurance for more than seven million children.  Today’s legislation protects coverage for those children, and expands it to include an additional four million children who would otherwise be uninsured.  President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill into law this afternoon.

“What a difference a President makes,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY).  “President Obama and Congress are demonstrating that change has come to Washington, and we are moving forward to improve the quality of life for American families struggling during these hard times. I cannot think of a better investment than the health of our children. Extending the Children’s Health Insurance Program is not only good policy; it is the right thing to do.”

“We speak for the children who are the most vulnerable in our society, especially during this time of economic crisis,” said Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Jim McDermott (D-WA).  “I cannot imagine how anyone could vote against America’s children.  Approving SCHIP is the most humane thing to do and I mean that in the truest sense of the word.  Yet, some on the other side will vote against it claiming they are fiscal conservatives; please note these very same so-called fiscal conservatives squandered a trillion dollars on a needless war in Iraq, and drove the U.S. economy into a ditch.  And now they want to deny children the ability to go see a doctor when they are sick.”

Today’s legislation strengthens SCHIP financing, increasing health insurance coverage for low-income children and improving the quality of health care that children receive by providing a four-and-a-half year reauthorization. The program provides sufficient Federal funds to enable states to maintain their current programs and extend coverage to four million additional uninsured low-income children

The legislation is paid for through an increase in the Federal tobacco tax.

The bill summary and other information are available online at www.energycommerce.house.gov.

Click here for a revenue estimate of tax provisions included in the bill.

Click here or on the SCHIP signing photo for a Larger View

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