[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 SCHIP

  (Mr. PETERS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, today the House will consider legislation 
to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program and provide 
health insurance coverage for more than 11 million children nationwide.
  The current recession makes this legislation particularly important. 
Children living in low-income families in Michigan rose a staggering 40 
percent between 2000 and 2007. Parents are losing their jobs and their 
health insurance. And kids who do not have health coverage forgo 
regular checkups and preventive t reatments. They miss more school 
days, and are less likely to finish high school. And untreated health 
problems can severely impact a young child's development. SCHIP 
provides a lifeline for children so that they can be healthy kids who 
have the opportunity to grow into healthy productive adults.
  The SCHIP bill we will consider today is fiscally responsible. It is 
more cost-effective for taxpayers to provide proper care for our kids 
rather than footing the bill for unnecessary emergency room visits. 
Passing this legislation is the right thing to do for our Nation's 
kids.

                          ____________________