(January 14, 2009) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard joined her congressional colleagues today in passing legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives calling for significant expansion of health care coverage for America’s children as part of the reauthorization of the landmark State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“Over the past decade the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) has helped reduce the number of uninsured children by one-third and has made significant progress in improving the health of low-income children,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.  “This legislation reauthorizes this critical program until 2013, ensuring that 7 million children currently covered by SCHIP continue to receive health coverage, including more than 1.5 million children currently enrolled in California. Equally as important, this bill will extend health coverage to an additional 4 million low-income children nationally who are currently uninsured.”

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program – or “SCHIP” -- was established by Congress in 1997 to expand health care coverage for children.  It provides matching funds to states to help them provide health care coverage for children living in families that are earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance.

The reauthorization strengthens SCHIP by including incentives for states to develop effective outreach and enroll more eligible children. In addition, the bill improves access to both mental health services and dental health care, and offers states the option to cover targeted low-income pregnant women as a way to provide the essential prenatal care that can help reduce birth defects.  

The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (HR 2) passed the U.S. House of Representatives today in a vote of 289 to 139.  The legislation, which now must be passed by the U.S. Senate, is fully paid for by raising the tobacco tax by 61 cents.  In addition to generating revenue, the tobacco tax increase also promotes children’s health by discouraging children from smoking.  According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a 61-cent increase in the tobacco tax means that 1,873,000 fewer children will take up smoking.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard continued: “I am particularly grateful that this reauthorization includes provisions of the Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act, which will restore the states’ option to provide coverage to legal immigrant children who meet all other eligibility criteria.  In doing so, this legislation takes a giant step forward in honoring our moral imperative to ensure that age, race and income do not determine the health status of our children.”