Congresswoman Hirono Votes to Provide Health Care for 10 Million Children
Calls on President to Reconsider Veto Threat of Popular Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono today joined a majority in the House of Representatives in support of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act (H.R. 976) to provide health care to more than 10 million low-income children.
"I voted to give more than 10 million children the care they deserve, and I call on the President to sign this bill into law rather than make good his veto threat," said Congresswoman Hirono. "I support providing all Americans with affordable, high-quality health care. Until we reach that goal, we should take steps that help our most vulnerable populations, including low-income children. Today’s vote moves us in that direction."
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance.
"This bill gives states the resources and incentives necessary to reach millions of uninsured children who are currently eligible but not enrolled in CHIP," Congresswoman Hirono noted.
H.R. 976 reauthorizes the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for five years and preserves the coverage for all 6.6 million children currently covered by CHIP, including preserving the coverage of more than 20,000 children in Hawai‘i.
The bill also extends health care coverage to 3.8 million additional low-income children, who are currently uninsured, including extending coverage to 12,000 uninsured children in Hawai‘i.
Congresswoman Hirono expressed disappointment, however, that compared with the CHIP reauthorization bill passed by the House earlier this year the conference bill passed tonight was weakened to gain support of Senate Republicans.
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