The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) applauded today’s final passage of the State’s Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reauthorization, H.R. 2. Today’s vote immediately sends the bill to President Barack Obama and renews the SCHIP program until 2013. The program was set to expire at the end of March. The CHC is pleased that the final version of this legislation included vital coverage for legal immigrant children and pregnant women.

“By ensuring affordable health care coverage for more than 11 million children, this country stands behind its commitment to working families,” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Chair of the CHC.  “As chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I applaud the inclusion of legal immigrant children and women in this vital health program and the increased chance for success this legislation gives all Latino families.”

The CHC has led the fight to keep the language of the Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act (ICHIA) language in the legislation, so that all children who are here legally are able to be covered, and so that states who have opted to take care of these children do not have an undue burden on their state’s budget. This vital coverage will keep more children out of emergency rooms, and provide health insurance the over half of Hispanic households with incomes under two hundred percent of the Federal Poverty line.

“By guaranteeing that millions of uninsured children will have health care, this expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program is an essential first step toward fixing our broken health care system,” said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34), Chair of the CHC Health and the Environment Task Force. “Today, Congress provides access to health care for an additional 4 million low-income children who are currently uninsured.  I am also pleased that the final bill includes a critical provision that will restore the states’ option to provide health coverage to legal immigrant children.  With the final passage of this reauthorization, we are seizing the opportunity to address serious health disparities in disadvantaged communities in our country, and taking a significant step in offering all of our children the promise of a healthier tomorrow.”

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Hispanic descent.  Since 1976 the CHC has been addressing the needs of the Hispanic community in all areas of American life.  For more information on the CHC, call (202) 225-2410. 

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