[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 144 (Wednesday, September 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN M. McHUGH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2007

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 976, the 
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007. As a 
strong supporter of the State Children's Health Insurance Program 
(SCHIP), I am pleased that the House is working to extend SCHIP beyond 
its upcoming September 30, 2007 expiration.
  Importantly, the bill before the House today (H.R. 976) does not 
include many of the Medicare provisions that were included in H.R. 
3162. Those provisions would have markedly reduced funding for my 
constituent seniors, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home 
health agencies. Accordingly, I was compelled to vote against H.R. 
3162, even though I have long supported the SCHIP program and its 
expansion.
  H.R. 976 takes the approach set forth in legislation (H.R. 3269) 
introduced by the gentlewoman from New Mexico, Mrs. Wilson, which I 
cosponsored. Significantly, under this approach, approximately four 
million additional children will have access to health insurance 
through SCHIP and their coverage will not come at the expense of my 
constituent seniors and health care providers.

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