State Children's Health Insurance Program

EMILY's List elected women respond to SCHIP passage

EMILY's List

For many of the women EMILY's List has helped elect, the signing of the State Children's Health Insurance Program signals a new day in American health care. Here are some of their statements about the passing of the legislation:

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), February 4, 2009
"Last week we took steps to close the wage gap between men and women through enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This week we are taking steps to ensure children across the country have access to affordable health care by renewing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. This Congress is working with President Obama to fulfill America’s promise as a place of hope, possibility, and opportunity.”
Click here to read the full statement.

Senator Kay Hagan (NC), January 28, 2009
"I cast this vote in the affirmative as a mother, as a former budget chairman for the state of North Carolina, who knows how difficult it is for the state to close the gap in funding for this critical program when the federal government drops the ball, and as a U.S. Senator, who sees in this bill a chance for our neediest families, our most disadvantaged kids to get ahead in the face of the daunting odds they will no doubt face in their future."
Click here to learn more.

Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD-04), January 14, 2009
"I support SCHIP because it provides coverage for the nation's children and those in Maryland's 4th congressional district whose families' income makes them ineligible for Medicaid, but who make too little to afford private health insurance on their own."
Click here to read the full statement.

February 5, 2009

Obama speaks of national responsibility for care

The White House

"Today, with one of the first bills that I sign -- reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program -- we fulfill one of the highest responsibilities that we have: to ensure the health and well-being of our nation's children.

It's a responsibility that's only grown more urgent as our economic crisis deepens, as health care costs have exploded and millions of working families are unable to afford health insurance. Today in America, 8 million children are still uninsured -- more than 45 million Americans altogether."

Read more

February 5, 2009

CHIP extension will provide more children with health care

KNUD-TV, Kennewick, WA

More children of low income parents will now be able to get health care. Wednesday President Obama extended the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP.

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell says the state will get $94-million, which is $50-million dollars more than we get now. She explains, "The formula for allocating money to states previously penalized Washington state. In fact over the last five years, we had to return almost $200-million that we should have been able to access."

Read more

January 14, 2009

Kosmas speaks on House floor in support of children's health care