Thompson Attends Bill Signing Ceremony for Children's Health Care Bill
February 4, 2009
Today President Barack Obama signed legislation into law that will provide health care to 11 million children from working families. Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) was invited and attended the ceremony at the White House.
“Today change came to America as our country took the first major step towards reducing the number of children who don't have health insurance,” said Congressman Thompson. “The State Children's Health Insurance Program has been an extraordinary success- over 1.5 million children in California get their health care through this program. However, over a million and a quarter kids are still uninsured in our state alone- which is just plain wrong.”
“By signing this bipartisan bill into law, almost 700,000 uninsured children in California and 4 million uninsured children across the country will now have access to health care. Our children deserve a healthy start and this legislation gives kids that chance.”
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too little to afford health insurance for their children but too much to qualify for Medicaid. The bill signed by the President today reauthorizes SCHIP through 2013 and preserves the coverage for all 7.1 million children currently covered by SCHIP, including 1,538,416 children in California. The bill also extends health care coverage to 4.1 million additional low-income children, who are currently uninsured. The bill is fully paid for.
"Today is a victory for children, not only in Napa County, but throughout the nation. The expansion of SCHIP is a great booster shot towards broader healthcare reform,” said Mark Diel, Executive Director of the Children's Health Initiative in Napa County. “Mike Thompson has been a steadfast advocate on behalf of our children and this will help secure health insurance coverage for almost 4,000 children in Napa County."
"Ensuring that every child in this country has access to affordable health care is critical to the health of individual children, their families and our community as a whole. Today's signing of the SCHIP expansion is an important step in that direction," said Dr. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, the Sonoma County Health Officer.
“Every year health care has just become more expensive, and we've had to cut back on paying for other things in order to afford to keep our family insured,” said Candy Sugarman of Hopland, whose middle class family has been paying nearly $15,000 a year for health coverage. “Paying for health care has become like paying a second mortgage. This is such a great program and I'm thrilled that our family can take part, and I really hope that some day this same kind of affordable coverage will be available for our entire family.”
“Passage of SCHIP will result in hundreds of children in Lake County getting the healthcare they need and deserve,” said Gloria Flaherty, Executive Director of the Lake Family Resource Center. “This will mean healthier children, families, and communities- and peace of mind for parents. We are proud of our Congressman for his continued support and dedication to this cause, our President, for making children's health a priority, and our country for recognizing that children's health is important to all.”
“This is great news for the Humboldt County families who are struggling to provide health insurance for their children. Since the Humboldt County Children's Health Initiative started in 2006, we've signed up approximately 1,500 children who would probably otherwise be without health insurance. In this challenging economy with layoffs looming, it is more important than ever for families to have access to low-cost health insurance,” said Alexandra Wineland, Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Branch director.
“This is a wonderful day for Yolo County children,” said Yolo County Supervisor Helen M. Thomson. “Since the President has signed this bill, we will be able to continue to provide health insurance to our children and to bring in many more children who currently have no health care. Thank you Congressman Thompson, for all of your work on behalf of our children.”
This bipartisan bill has been endorsed by dozens of organizations, representing millions of Americans - ranging from business groups such as the National Federation of Independent Businesses and Business Roundtable to the American Hospital Association, AARP and Families USA.
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CONTACT: Laurel Brown at (202) 225-3311, (831) 212-2550 or laurel.brown@mail.house.gov
“Today change came to America as our country took the first major step towards reducing the number of children who don't have health insurance,” said Congressman Thompson. “The State Children's Health Insurance Program has been an extraordinary success- over 1.5 million children in California get their health care through this program. However, over a million and a quarter kids are still uninsured in our state alone- which is just plain wrong.”
“By signing this bipartisan bill into law, almost 700,000 uninsured children in California and 4 million uninsured children across the country will now have access to health care. Our children deserve a healthy start and this legislation gives kids that chance.”
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too little to afford health insurance for their children but too much to qualify for Medicaid. The bill signed by the President today reauthorizes SCHIP through 2013 and preserves the coverage for all 7.1 million children currently covered by SCHIP, including 1,538,416 children in California. The bill also extends health care coverage to 4.1 million additional low-income children, who are currently uninsured. The bill is fully paid for.
"Today is a victory for children, not only in Napa County, but throughout the nation. The expansion of SCHIP is a great booster shot towards broader healthcare reform,” said Mark Diel, Executive Director of the Children's Health Initiative in Napa County. “Mike Thompson has been a steadfast advocate on behalf of our children and this will help secure health insurance coverage for almost 4,000 children in Napa County."
"Ensuring that every child in this country has access to affordable health care is critical to the health of individual children, their families and our community as a whole. Today's signing of the SCHIP expansion is an important step in that direction," said Dr. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, the Sonoma County Health Officer.
“Every year health care has just become more expensive, and we've had to cut back on paying for other things in order to afford to keep our family insured,” said Candy Sugarman of Hopland, whose middle class family has been paying nearly $15,000 a year for health coverage. “Paying for health care has become like paying a second mortgage. This is such a great program and I'm thrilled that our family can take part, and I really hope that some day this same kind of affordable coverage will be available for our entire family.”
“Passage of SCHIP will result in hundreds of children in Lake County getting the healthcare they need and deserve,” said Gloria Flaherty, Executive Director of the Lake Family Resource Center. “This will mean healthier children, families, and communities- and peace of mind for parents. We are proud of our Congressman for his continued support and dedication to this cause, our President, for making children's health a priority, and our country for recognizing that children's health is important to all.”
“This is great news for the Humboldt County families who are struggling to provide health insurance for their children. Since the Humboldt County Children's Health Initiative started in 2006, we've signed up approximately 1,500 children who would probably otherwise be without health insurance. In this challenging economy with layoffs looming, it is more important than ever for families to have access to low-cost health insurance,” said Alexandra Wineland, Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Branch director.
“This is a wonderful day for Yolo County children,” said Yolo County Supervisor Helen M. Thomson. “Since the President has signed this bill, we will be able to continue to provide health insurance to our children and to bring in many more children who currently have no health care. Thank you Congressman Thompson, for all of your work on behalf of our children.”
This bipartisan bill has been endorsed by dozens of organizations, representing millions of Americans - ranging from business groups such as the National Federation of Independent Businesses and Business Roundtable to the American Hospital Association, AARP and Families USA.
###
CONTACT: Laurel Brown at (202) 225-3311, (831) 212-2550 or laurel.brown@mail.house.gov
Issues:Health Care