Legislation will help millions of low- and middle-income children
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today called on President Bush to sign a bill that will extend health care coverage to millions of low- and middle-income children.
"The lives of nearly 4 million children across our nation – more than 82,000 in Arizona – will be directly and positively impacted by this legislation," the Tucson lawmaker said. "No child in America should have to live without health insurance."
The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act passed the House with strong bipartisan support today in a 265-159 vote and is expected to win the backing of the Senate later this week. The president has threatened to veto it.
The act extends and expands the existing State Children’s Health Program, a 10-year old program created to provide health care coverage for children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance. Known as S-CHIP, the program will expire on Sept. 30 unless it is reauthorized.
An estimated 6.6 million children are now enrolled in the program, including more than 64,000 in Arizona, where coverage comes through the KidsCare program. But because there are more than 250,000 uninsured children in Arizona, Gov. Janet Napolitano is among the program’s strongest supporters.
Another supporter is Penelope Jacks, director of the Children’s Alliance Southern Arizona. "We are delighted that Congresswoman Giffords and a majority of her colleagues in Congress have seen the need for every child to be able to go the doctor when he or she is sick," Jacks said. "More and more working parents in this economy can’t afford to provide health insurance coverage for their children. This program steps in to fill that gap."
"Research shows that insuring children is cost-effective and a good investment in our future," Giffords said. "A healthy child is more likely to succeed in education and life."
For more information on Giffords and Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, please visit www.giffords.house.gov.