MEDIA ADVISORY, Wednesday, August 1, 2007
CONTACT: Yoni Cohen, Stark (202) 225-3202

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Democrats are continuing to speak up. From all corners of the diverse Democratic coalition, Members of Congress are endorsing the Children's Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act, legislation to provide health care to 11 million kids, improve Medicare's benefits for seniors and people with disabilities, and protect Medicare from Republican efforts to privatize the popular and successful program.

New Democrat Coalition

“CHAMP provides a fiscally responsible solution to an issue that has been neglected for far too long: access to health care for children and seniors,” said Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, Chair of the New Democrat Coalition. “It is a well-thought out combination of compassionate health policy that extends healthcare to our children and Medicare to our seniors without mortgaging the future.”

Congressional Black Caucus

“The CBC Health Braintrust fully supports covering the 6 million eligible, but un-enrolled children, while protecting the health and health care of our low-income seniors, people with ESRD and our nation’s dedicated health providers in the process,” said Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. “The CHAMP Act – HR 3162 – brings us one step closer to passing a health policy that is both socially responsible and medically appropriate, and that will improve the health and well being of our nation’s most vulnerable residents.”

“Without question, America’s crisis of affordable health care grows larger every day,” said Congressman G. K. Butterfield, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. “The CHAMP Act is a clear message from Congress that ensuring access to health care is a top priority, especially when it comes to seniors, children and people of modest means.”

Congressional Hispanic Caucus

“Extending health insurance to the Hispanic community has long been a CHC priority. More than seventy percent of uninsured Hispanic children who are eligible for public coverage are not enrolled—this is unacceptable. It is clear that something needs to be done,” said Congressman Joe Baca, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “With the Champ Act, Congress is taking significant steps to reduce barriers to care for Hispanic children and seniors.”

“This bill is critical for the health of children and seniors across our country. Although programs such as SCHIP and Medicaid have decreased the number of uninsured children, lack of funding and outreach efforts have left millions of eligible children, including more than 70 percent of uninsured Latino children, without coverage,” said Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Health and the Environment Task Force. “I am proud to join with my colleagues in strong support of the CHAMP Act which will significantly improve the program, provide coverage to an additional five million poor children, and reduce health disparities in communities of color.”

Blue Dog Coalition

“This bill will have a big impact on the rural communities I represent, which have a disproportionate number of uninsured children and seniors,” said Congressman Dennis Cardoza, a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. “By providing healthcare to our poor and underserved citizens, the CHAMP Act represents American values in action. It’s also important to note that the Democratic Congress is funding this important priority in compliance with PAYGO rules.”

Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

“I am proud to support the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act of 2007 which will reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program,” said Congressman Mike Honda, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “SCHIP has proven effective in reducing the number of uninsured children in California and other participating states. This reauthorization will extend health insurance coverage to an additional 5 million children, enabling the program to cover a total of 11 million children across the United States. It will assure coverage of dental and mental health care, stabilize Medicare reimbursement rates for physicians, and improve culturally and linguistically appropriate care by providing federal matching dollars for translation and interpretation services related to children. No child should go without medical care and I will work hard with my colleagues to ensure passage of the CHAMP ACT.”

“The CHAMP Act is an effective, responsible piece of legislation. No child should have to go without quality health insurance in the richest nation in the country,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui, a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting the CHAMP Act, which will allow us to extend the SCHIP program and put the Medicare program back on track for solvency. This is a perfect example of how the Democratic Leadership is renewing its commitment to America’s families.”

Congressional Progressive Caucus

"Every American deserves access to the highest quality health care, which is why I strongly support universal coverage,” said Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “By expanding health care coverage to 11 million children the CHAMP act is an important step towards that goal, and one that I strongly support."

Democratic Policy Committee

“When children don’t have health coverage, their parents are forced to rely on emergency rooms for their kids’ care, instead of routine doctor visits that can prevent sickness in the first place," said Congressman George Miller, Chair of the Democratic Policy Committee. "Kids who are sick can’t go to school, so their educational opportunities suffer. In so many ways, denying children proper healthcare creates all kinds of other problems for them, their families, and for taxpayers. The right thing to do – and, for taxpayers, the smart thing to do – is to get kids the health coverage they need, and that’s what the CHAMP Act would do.”