AARP: House SCHIP Vote an Important Win for Comprehensive Health Care Reform
Source: AARP Press Center | 2009-01-14
January 14, 2008
Contact: Jim Dau or Jordan McNerney, AARP, 202-434-2560, jdau@aarp.org, or jmcnerney@aarp.org
WASHINGTON—This afternoon, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond issued the following statement:
“We believe every American should have quality, affordable health care, and today’s vote marks an important first step towards comprehensive health reform. Ensuring our children have health coverage is the right thing to do. It keeps them healthier now so they face fewer problems in the future, and it takes some of the burden off working parents who are already struggling to make ends meet in this weak economy.
“AARP applauds the House for passing a smart, comprehensive bill that will strengthen SCHIP to cover more children who need health care. Offsetting the costs of SCHIP with a tobacco tax is a fiscally responsible way to insure our kids while reducing smoking, which will improve our nation’s health.
“We look forward to the Senate’s support of a smart, strong and fair bill to ensure no child goes without the health care she needs.”
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
