“I want to commend Speaker Pelosi and the U.S. House of Representatives for taking very positive action on behalf of America’s uninsured families as a first item of business in the new Congress. As unemployment rises and more and more families lose access to affordable healthcare coverage, it is essential that the federal government take action. During this economic turmoil, it is critical that we maintain and strengthen this important lifeline to our nation’s children and that we help financially-strapped states respond to the growing need for affordable healthcare coverage.
Making SCHIP reauthorization an early priority shows that Congress understands the fact that economic recovery begins with the nation’s families. This is an encouraging first step and a hopeful sign that a new era has come to Washington. I look forward to seeing this bipartisan bill enacted into law and for Congress to provide more assistance to uninsured families through an FMAP increase and ultimately health care reform. ”
