[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2009

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, Modern medicine can prevent an 
inconvenient infection from ballooning into a debilitating illness with 
a relatively simple physician's visit and subsequent treatment. And 
here in America, with the best medical practices and practitioners in 
the history of the world, we have the capabilities to keep our Nation's 
children healthy and their futures bright.
  But we aren't doing it.
  Up to now, we've chosen not to guarantee the health of our children, 
instead forcing upon millions of parents the difficult choice of 
seeking treatment for an ailing child or buying food. Making that 
potentially life-saving doctor's visit or keeping the lights on.
  Today, we have the opportunity to erase that awful dilemma for the 
working mothers and fathers of more than 4 million children, including 
tens of thousands in my home State of Kentucky, by extending the State 
Children's Health Insurance Program. By supporting the SCHIP expansion 
we help guarantee the inalienable rights of America's children to 
survive, thrive, and grow up to become healthy adults.
  By expanding SCHIP we can prevent the future health problems of our 
youngest generation so that they never grow up to be burdens on the 
system. It makes economic sense, but more importantly, it is our moral 
obligation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important legislation, as we fight to ensure that a sick child in this 
great Nation never has to go without care.

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