Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following comments following the House vote on H.R. 2, State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization, which will provide health care coverage for 11 million children.
“As a long time supporter of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, I was pleased to serve once again as a cosponsor to its reauthorization. CHIP has covered more than 7 million children who otherwise would not have health coverage, and today we have extended coverage to 4 million more children. It is critical H.R. 2 is signed into law as quickly as possible. High health care costs are killing my home state of Michigan, and with other states now facing similar economic challenges, we need to ensure our state governments can provide health care to our neediest children. President-elect Obama has committed to signing this bill as one of his first orders of business and it will be a great day when pen is put to paper. I further look forward to working with the new Administration on national healthcare reform. As someone who has spent more than 50 years on this effort, I know that today is just the beginning of the great work to come. We will not stop until ALL Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare.”
