DeGette Stands up for Childrens Health Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the health care ofmillions hanging in the balance, Congress today passed an extension ofthe Children's Health Care Insurance Program (SCHIP), S. 2499, theMedicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act, on a vote of 411 to 3.Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) supportedthe measure.

"The State Children's Health Care InsuranceProgram has been tremendously beneficial for millions of low-incomefamilies over the past ten years. While I am happy we passed anextension preserving health care coverage for the six millionlow-income children currently in the program, I am extremelydisappointed that House and Senate Republicans callously blocked ourefforts by voting lock-step with President Bush and caving to hisdemands for a health care program would leave millions of low-incomechildren without health care.

"Furthermore, six millionchildren were denied health care coverage because President Bushstubbornly refused to negotiate with Congress merely to score politicalpoints. The bipartisan compromise bill passed by Congress earlier thisyear would have provided coverage for an additional four million kidswho are eligible for the program, but not enrolled. I remain committedto working toward covering all low-income kids in America who areeligible for this wildly successful and effective program; it is thebest way to ensure the poorest children in our nation are healthy andhappy."