Washington, DC - This afternoon, Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY) extended remarks on the House floor in strong support of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Approved this afternoon by a House vote of 290 to 135 and also approved by the Senate last week, this bill was signed into law by President Obama today.

“Madame Speaker, esteemed colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I stand before you today, one happy man. I am happy that I have the opportunity to vote in favor and hopefully bear witness to the passage of this momentous bill, The State Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act.

Our great leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior once famously remarked, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane." I wholeheartedly agree with Reverend King’s sentiments, and I would like to take his statement one step further. I contend neglecting adequate healthcare for all of our children is perhaps the most disgraceful and appalling atrocity this nation faces.

Today, we have an opportunity to take one step towards rectifying the wrongs of our past. Today, we have the opportunity to vote in favor of a bipartisan piece of legislation that would expand health care to more than 11 million children nationwide and preserves the coverage of 7.1 million children through 2013. 

This fine piece of legislation will reduce the number of uninsured children in my state by 66%; reducing the number from 400,000 to approximately 135,000. I don’t know about you, but that’s the type of change I can believe in.

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program catches the most overlooked segment of our population— those families and children that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private health insurance. This land breaking and much needed piece of legislation will provide coverage to those families that are eligible for but not yet enrolled in SCHIP and Medicaid.

The legislation is truly bipartisan in nature, and is supported by numerous organizations including the American Hospital Association, AARP and Families USA.

My Democratic friends and Republican comrades, I urge you to take a stand against health injustices and take a stand for our children. I urge you to vote in support of the Children’s Health Insurance Health Program Reauthorization Act.”

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Return to Congressman Towns' website