News Item

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) today voted to provide health insurance to 11 million children. Etheridge voted with a majority of his colleagues to pass H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. The bill is very similar to legislation President Bush vetoed twice in 2007.

“As North Carolina’s former Superintendent of Public Instruction, I have seen first hand that healthy children are better prepared for learning and success. The Children’s Health Insurance Program ensures that North Carolina’s children are as healthy and productive as possible and that they can grow up to fulfill their best potential,” said Etheridge.

“Untreated illnesses can have long-term consequences, and access to health care can head off expensive treatments down the road. As a nation, we must protect our most vulnerable citizens.”

The legislation will ensure that health coverage continues for the 7 million children currently covered under the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and will extend coverage to an additional 4 million children who are currently uninsured. Without the legislation, the CHIP would end on March 31.

CHIP provides health care coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance. In 2007, more than 240,000 children in North Carolina received their health coverage through North Carolina’s CHIP, NC Health Choice for Children. Under the legislation, North Carolina’s allotment would increase by 81 percent over the current level from $136 million to $245 million.

North Carolina has 296,000 uninsured children, the sixth-largest number in the country. Two-thirds of uninsured children in the state live in a home where at least one parent works full time.

As Etheridge voted for the bill, he expressed concerns that the legislation would be funded by a 61-cent-per-pack tobacco-tax increase.

“I still regret that the bill will be funded by a tobacco-tax increase. However, with one out of eight children in North Carolina lacking health insurance I must vote for this legislation,” said Etheridge.