[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 9 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2009

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate my colleagues on the passage of H.R. 2 yesterday 
afternoon.
  H.R. 2 is a critical piece of legislation that renews and improves 
the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that ensures 
health care coverage for over 11 million American children--including 
the addition of 4 million, previously uninsured.
  This legislation also improves SCHIP benefits by ensuring coverage 
for dental and mental health services.
  H.R. 2 will reauthorize SCHIP through FY 2013 and will be fully paid 
for through an increase in the tobacco tax.
  Raising the tobacco tax discourages children from smoking. According 
to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the tobacco tax increase will 
prevent nearly 2 million children from starting to smoke.
  I am hopeful that the Senate will also pass H.R. 2 and I look forward 
to this important legislation becoming law under the new administration 
of President Obama.

                          ____________________