[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 684-685]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                 SCHIP

  (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, today is a great day.
  This morning, I woke up with great optimism, knowing that, today, the 
House will once again take up the Children's Health Insurance Program 
that will cover 11 million children.
  Providing health insurance to children whose families simply cannot 
afford it has been a top priority for the people I represent in 
Missouri. With rising unemployment, covering children is even more 
important than ever, and the need grows each day. No longer will 
children be forced to visit an emergency room to receive basic medical 
care. This is commonsense legislation at its best. Now children will be 
better prepared for learning and for success in today's world economy.
  The broad coalition of supporters behind this bill will soon have a 
friend in the White House. President-elect Barack Obama is committed to 
making health care readily available to every American, starting with 
America's children.

[[Page 685]]

  This bill will not be voted on today without the leadership of 
Chairman Waxman, Chairman Emeritus Dingell and Congressman Pallone. I 
thank them for their continued leadership. America's children are on 
the threshold of a healthier future.

                          ____________________