House Passes Crucial Children's Healthcare Legislation

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, voted for House passage of H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (SCHIP) to provide health insurance to 11 million low-income children.  The legislation passed the House twice last year and was vetoed twice by President Bush.

"As a society we have a collective responsibility to our most innocent population.  Our nation's children deserve access to the most basic needs, education and healthcare, regardless of what their parents can afford.  With a new Administration comes the golden opportunity to address healthcare for the children of our country."

SCHIP of 2009 will reauthorize the national children's healthcare program for 5 years and cover 4 million additional children, including dental care and mental health services.  The legislation invests $32 billion over 5 years and is fully paid for, adding nothing to the federal debt.

"Covering more eligible children is not only the right thing to do - it's also much more cost-effective for children to receive preventative care and regular checkups rather than going to the emergency room whenever there's a problem.

"With rising unemployment rates, the loss of health coverage for American families is staggering, and SCHIP will reach those who need it most.  This is a huge victory for our children and our country."

The House approved H.R. 2 by a bipartisan vote of 289 to 139.  Eshoo, a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, has been a champion of the SCHIP since Congress established the landmark program in 1997.

To see Rep. Eshoo speak on the House floor in support of the bill, click here .

For a transcript of Rep. Eshoo's remarks, click here .

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