AARP Thanks Senate For Moving Health Reform Forward - Strengthening SCHIP Brings Quality, Affordable Coverage To Millions

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 30 Jan 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond thanked the Senate for strengthening the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Her statement follows:

"Today's Senate vote brings us one big step closer to fixing our broken health care system. Strengthening SCHIP will bring needed health care to millions of children in families that are struggling to afford coverage.

"There can be no economic recovery without acknowledging-and fixing-the role of skyrocketing health care costs on working families. Mounting job losses and a weakening economy are making it even more difficult to keep kids healthy. Too many families are being forced to choose between insurance premiums and mortgage payments, between immunizations and groceries. The bill passed by the Senate today will allow all American kids to get the care they need to stay healthy.

"AARP applauds lawmakers for using a smart, fiscally responsible way to offset the cost of strengthening SCHIP. Raising cigarette taxes discourages smoking, improving the health of Americans of all ages and reducing costly treatments for chronic diseases.

"We are hopeful that leaders in both parties can set aside their partisan differences-especially on an issue as important as children's health insurance-in reconciling a final bill to send to the president.

"We look forward to working with members of the conference committee to move this important bill to President Obama's desk for his signature."

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP

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