Madam Speaker,  I am pleased to rise in support of H. Res. 675, providing for consideration of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reauthorization.  It is critical that we pass this legislation, and with the funding for SCHIP programs scheduled to expire 5 days from now, it is critical that we pass it today.

SCHIP began in 1997 and has been a true success story.  While the number of uninsured adults has steadily climbed over the past ten years, the number of uninsured children in our nation has declined by nearly a third.  This program has made health insurance a reality for over 12,000 children in my home state this year - the majority of them in families where one or more adult is part of the workforce.  It is a critical component of health care delivery in Rhode Island, as it is across the country.  By reauthorizing the SCHIP program, we renew our national commitment to achieving the goal of insuring all children whose parents cannot afford private health insurance coverage.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Res. 675, which will allow us to preserve and strengthen this tremendously successful program.