MEDIA ADVISORY, Tuesday, July 24, 2007
CONTACT: Yoni Cohen, Stark (202) 225-3202

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill yesterday introduced an expansive health care bill to provide insurance coverage for millions of children and improve and strengthen Medicare for America's seniors and people with disabilities.

"The CHAMP Act makes an important investment in the health of America, this is a bill we can be proud of," said Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY). "I look forward to working with my Republican friends in Congress and in the Administration to champion the needs of our nation's children and seniors. I trust they share my fervent belief that this bill is sound health policy and good national policy as well."

The leadership of the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees last night unveiled the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act of 2007 as legislation that provides for the health care needs from the "Greatest Generation" to the next generation.

"The CHAMP Act is about providing health care to 11 million kids, and making sure our seniors can continue to see their own doctors," said Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. “It is simply the right thing to do - there is no justification for denying help to the most vulnerable among us."

The legislation, which will be considered by the two committees later this week, is the byproduct of months of the intensive hearings by the Health Subcommittees of Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce under the leadership of Chairmen Pete Stark (D-CA) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ).

"House Republicans spent a decade neglecting millions of uninsured children and the Medicare program through which tens of millions of seniors and people with disabilities receive quality health care," said Stark. "The Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act takes America in a new direction, providing health care to millions of kids and improving Medicare's preventive benefits and mental health services for seniors. It ensures seniors and people with disabilities can continue to see their doctors, reverses the Republican drive to privatize Medicare, and protects and preserves an improved Medicare program for the future."

"The CHAMP Act is an essential package that addresses the health care needs of our children and seniors, while also meeting the needs of our doctors," said Pallone. "I am particularly proud of our effort to ensure 11 million children receive the health care coverage they need to live healthier lives. Over the past ten years, CHIP has received strong bipartisan support because it serves as a lifeline to those most vulnerable among us, our children. At a time when the number of uninsured children is increasing, I would hope that the CHAMP Act would garner similar support."

To view legislative information on the CHAMP Act, click here.