House expands SCHIP; Garrett lone NJ opposition

by: Jason Springer

Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 06:09:55 PM EST

"Soon we will have a new president who has committed himself to reforming our nation's health care system so every American can access affordable and quality health care." said Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J. "The bill we are considering today makes a down-payment on that promise."

Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 YES NO Adler Andrews Frelinghuysen Holt Lance LoBiondo Pallone Pascrell Payne Rothman Sires Smith Garrett

Democrats are in blue, and Republicans are in red.

"Passage of this bill in the new Congress is a strong first step toward solving the crisis of the uninsured in America," said Rothman. "Right now there are 47 million Americans surviving without health insurance, including 1.3 million in my home state of New Jersey. These families are living in constant fear that a sudden illness or injury could result in financial ruin. That is why it is so important that we take swift and meaningful action. Providing healthcare coverage for an additional 4 million children is a powerful example of what we can accomplish on a whole host of problems facing our country. I look forward to working with the new President and my colleagues in Congress toward bringing additional changes for the better to New Jersey and the entire country."

"I long have fought for mental health parity, and was pleased that last year we could improve mental health coverage for private insurance plans and Medicare. I am encouraged that we have now extended this to the SCHIP program."

"Congressman Garrett should explain to New Jersey families why he voted to deny healthcare for millions of children in need, especially in these tough economic times. With thousands of Americans losing their jobs each day, the SCHIP program has become more critical than ever as more and more parents struggle to find affordable health insurance for their children.  Despite Garrett?s opposition, this critical legislation to expand the SCHIP program passed with broad bipartisan support in Congress today, with the Senate expected to follow suit.  President-Elect Obama will soon sign this long overdue legislation into law so that millions of parents no longer have to pray their children don?t get sick or hurt or ask themselves: 'Is it bad enough to go to the doctor?"