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| For Immediate Release February 4, 2009 |
Contact: Kerry McKenney/Nkechi Mbanu (202) 225-3436 |
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| Payne Backs Bipartisan Bill to Provide Health Care for 11 Million Children -- Legislation Is Estimated to Provide 267,000 Uninsured Children in New Jersey with Health Care Coverage |
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| Washington, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne today joined a majority in the US House of Representatives in support of the final version of bipartisan legislation to provide health care to 11 million children in modest-income families. The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act, HR 2, was approved by a vote of 290 - 135. Passage by the House today sent the bill to President Obama's desk for his signature this afternoon. "After three years of fighting for this legislation, I am very pleased that President Obama will be signing this bill to provide health care coverage for 11 million children," stated Payne. "This is the same legislation that President Bush vetoed twice in the last Congress. Providing health coverage for America's children is the change America needs." "No child in New Jersey or anywhere throughout our nation should ever go without medical care," said Payne. "I was proud to back a plan to help improve the health of 11 million children, reduce the much more costly use of emergency rooms for primary care, and move us closer to providing every child in our nation with affordable, high-quality health care." The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too little to afford health insurance for their children but too much to qualify for Medicaid. This bill will give states the resources and incentives necessary to reach and cover millions of uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid. House Resolution 2 has a broad range of support. It has been endorsed by dozens of organizations, representing millions of Americans – ranging from business groups such as the National Federation of Independent Businesses and Business Roundtable to the American Hospital Association to such groups as AARP and Families USA. This bill reauthorizes the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through FY 2013. It preserves the coverage for all 7.1 million children currently covered by SCHIP, including preserving the coverage of 150,277 children in New Jersey. It also provides coverage for 4.1 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid, including 116,000 children in New Jersey. The bill is fully paid for by raising the tobacco tax by 62 cents. Raising the tobacco tax also promotes children's health – by discouraging children from smoking. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a 62-cent increase in the tobacco tax means that nearly 1.9 million fewer children will take up smoking. "Covering more eligible children is not only the right thing to do – it makes good economic sense for taxpayers who will not foot the bill for costlier problems down the road," pointed out Payne. "In addition, a healthy child is better prepared for learning and success." "With rising unemployment, this children's health bill is more critical than ever," concluded Payne. "In this recession, more and more American parents are losing employer-sponsored health care for their children. The need for this legislation is growing every day." ### |
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Washington, DC Office 2310 Rayburn House Office Building · Washington, District of Columbia 20515 Phone: (202)-225-3436 Fax: (202)-225-4160 |
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