WASHINGTON— Determined to reduce the record number of uninsured Americans, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) a member of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee today voted to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The legislation was approved with bipartisan support in the House of Representatives by a vote of 289-139.
“If we’re going to be serious about reforming America’s broken health care system, there is no better place to start than with our children,” stated Pascrell. “This is not the first time Congress has approved such worthy legislation, but it is the first time it has been passed with strong support in the White House.”
Despite broad bipartisan support in the prior session of Congress, President Bush twice vetoed Congressional efforts to expand the SCHIP program.
“President Obama’s shared vision to expand SCHIP in a more efficient manner signals a relieving departure from years of failed health policies,” Pascrell continued. “With initiatives like this and additional Medicaid assistance for sates, I am confident that Congress and the White House can begin to whittle down the record number of uninsured Americans. As a new member of the Health Subcommittee, insuring the uninsured is among my top priorities.”
The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act will provide health coverage to 11 million American children, including more than 280,000 in New Jersey.
Under current law, New Jersey will receive a projected $102.2 million in the fiscal year 2009. The bill approved in the House today is projected to provide New Jersey with $497.8 million in the fiscal year 2009, marking a dramatic 387% funding increase.
Written in Congress with the fiscal interests of America’s national and state economies in mind, the legislation is responsibly paid for through an increase in the tobacco tax. It also improves the program’s efficiency by setting strict limitations against coverage for undocumented immigrants. The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act ensures that federal funding is reserved for legal residents of the United States.
“Providing for the health of our children is not only a moral imperative, it is also a cost-effective investment,” stated Pascrell. “Expanding SCHIP will benefit taxpayers by reducing the costly emergency room visits made by families that can not afford preventative care. Without insurance, families often have no choice but to seek emergency service for ailments that decent health insurance would help prevent. An expanded SCHIP would help keep children out of emergency rooms, save taxpayer money and relieve overextended hospitals.”
“I urge my Senate colleagues to follow our example and immediately approve a smart SCHIP expansion for President Obama to sign into law,” concluded Pascrell.
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