For Immediate Release
January 14, 2009

Contact:
Aketa Marie Simmons
202-226-6709

WASHINGTON, DC – Today Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH) boldly supported the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).  This bipartisan bill renews and improves SCHIP, providing health care coverage for 11 million children – preserving coverage for the 7 million children currently covered by SCHIP and extending coverage to 4 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid.

"The over 230,000 Ohio children now enrolled in SCHIP will be joined many more deserving youth. Ohio's related funding was increased by 87%. Those children, and the others that will benefit from the expansion, deserve adequate healthcare and greater responsibility from the government," said Rep. Fudge. "We must do all that we can to assist our families in these trying times, which is why I also co-sponsored the expansion of the Child Tax Credit."

"In the midst of a recession, with staggering unemployment rates, this SCHIP bill has become more critical than ever. Too many Ohio parents are having difficulty finding affordable health insurance for their children. It is our responsibility to help our children," continued Rep. Fudge.

SCHIP 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, and has proved a successful and cost-effective program for providing health care.