[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 164 (Thursday, October 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM

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                       HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2017

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because nearly 9 million 
children are in danger of losing health insurance.
  The Children's Health Insurance Program has reduced the uninsured 
rate among children from 14 percent in 1997 to 5 percent, today.
  Nearly 30,000 children from my state, California, stand to lose their 
healthcare coverage this winter because of Congress's failure to 
reauthorize this vital program.
  Healthcare is a human right, and working-class families need 
affordable doctors for their kids. This is especially true for Latinos. 
More than half of Latino children have Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
  Congress must act immediately to pass a five-year extension for CHIP 
funding.
  Every day we delay, we give families another reason to worry--that 
their son or daughter will fall sick and they won't be able to afford a 
doctor. That ongoing care for a chronically ill child will become too 
expensive. That hospitals will close their doors to them.
  It's time to stop playing politics and get to work on a bipartisan 
reauthorization for CHIP.

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