[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 145 (Thursday, September 27, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2007

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the State 
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization bill. At a time 
when there are over 46 million uninsured individuals in this country, 
and over 5 million uninsured people in Texas alone, it is time that 
Congress stepped up and improved access to healthcare for children--our 
most vulnerable population. This legislation will go a long way in 
providing care to children of low-income families, some of our most 
disadvantaged individuals.
  Without this important legislation, SCHIP will expire at the end of 
the month. Since its inception ten years ago, SCHIP has been a highly 
successful program. There are currently 6.6 million children enrolled 
in SCHIP, but millions more are eligible for the program and continue 
to lack health insurance. Approximately two-thirds of uninsured 
children are eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid and it is our 
responsibility to ensure that these children receive health benefits. 
Without healthcare coverage under SCHIP many children of the working 
poor are forced to replace regular visits to primary care physicians 
with costly trips to the emergency room.
  Today's expansion will provide states with the resources to start 
covering more of these eligible children. This legislation will expand 
the Children's Health Insurance Program by $35 billion over the next 5 
years, allowing states to cover an estimated 3.8 million more children. 
In Texas alone, an additional 440,000 children will receive coverage. 
Texas has the unpleasant distinction of being the state with the most 
uninsured residents. With 5 million uninsured Texans, providing 
healthcare coverage for another half million children is a critical 
first step for the state of Texas.
  I am proud to support this important SCHIP expansion that will 
improve healthcare access for children in Texas and across the Nation.

                          ____________________