Washington, D.C. – By a 289 to 139 vote, the U.S. House today passed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. This bill ensures health coverage for 11 million American children by renewing and strengthening the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), including 4 million currently uninsured children.

In just the second week since being sworn in, the Democratic Congress is moving rapidly to address the needs of American working families. Democrats in Congress and President-elect Obama are committed to working together to put forth solutions so that every American, starting with children, has access to affordable, quality healthcare. President-elect Obama has made clear that he intends to sign this legislation into law as one of his top priorities.

Prior to the vote, Schwartz spoke on the House floor in strong support of the bill.

“Today is a good day for American families.

“Today, we vote to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for the nearly 7 million children it covers and to expand coverage to an additional 4 million uninsured children.

“My commitment to ensuring health coverage for every child in our great nation is just as strong today as it was in 1992 when I successfully worked for the early creation of CHIP in Pennsylvania.

“Yet, today, 9 million children are still uninsured – more than 138,000 in Pennsylvania alone.  And the number grows daily.

“As the economy continues to suffer and unemployment grows, more and more American families are losing their insurance coverage.  Parents without coverage worry that their children will get sick or need to visit the doctor; and they simply do not have the money to pay.

“As we work to reverse the economic downturn, we can and should ensure that our children’s health will be protected, now and in the future.

“Strengthening CHIP for 11 million children is the right thing to do – and in just six days, we will have a President who – unlike the outgoing President – will sign this bill and achieve this goal for America’s children.

“Change is here. Today is a good day.”  

####