10/25/2007 - Sires Statement On SCHIP Reauthorization
Oct 24, 2007
Press Release
New bill reflects Republican concerns; insists on covering 4 million additional children
For Immediate Release Contact: Olga Alvarez
October 25, 2007
(201) 222-2828
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Congressman Albio Sires issued the following statement on the passage of new legislation that would reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The previous bill, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House and the Senate, was vetoed by President Bush.
"Once again, my colleagues in the House of Representatives voted to make sure 10 million American children receive the healthcare they need. H.R. 3963, a revised version of the bill vetoed by President Bush on October 3rd, continues to provide health insurance to 4 million additional low income children. It assures the American people that the majority of us in Congress are listening to our constituencies and to the 81 percent of Americans that supported the previous bill.
"The revised bill clarifies what we said all along: that low-income children will be the beneficiaries of this bill. It phases out coverage for childless adults, minimizes children moving from private insurance to SCHIP, and makes sure illegal immigrants cannot enroll in the health insurance program. This should quell the boisterous outrage of just a few Republicans that insisted on listening to their party and not to common sense.
"I look forward to the passage of the revised SCHIP bill in the Senate. I also look forward to the satisfaction in knowing that our efforts - to bring peace of mind to millions of American families - was not in vain."
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For Immediate Release Contact: Olga Alvarez
October 25, 2007
(201) 222-2828
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Congressman Albio Sires issued the following statement on the passage of new legislation that would reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The previous bill, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House and the Senate, was vetoed by President Bush.
"Once again, my colleagues in the House of Representatives voted to make sure 10 million American children receive the healthcare they need. H.R. 3963, a revised version of the bill vetoed by President Bush on October 3rd, continues to provide health insurance to 4 million additional low income children. It assures the American people that the majority of us in Congress are listening to our constituencies and to the 81 percent of Americans that supported the previous bill.
"The revised bill clarifies what we said all along: that low-income children will be the beneficiaries of this bill. It phases out coverage for childless adults, minimizes children moving from private insurance to SCHIP, and makes sure illegal immigrants cannot enroll in the health insurance program. This should quell the boisterous outrage of just a few Republicans that insisted on listening to their party and not to common sense.
"I look forward to the passage of the revised SCHIP bill in the Senate. I also look forward to the satisfaction in knowing that our efforts - to bring peace of mind to millions of American families - was not in vain."
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