Lautenberg Statement On Protecting Children's Health After Defeat Of Bunning Amendment, USA

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 30 Jan 2009 - 2:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

New Jersey Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), with his colleague Robert Menendez (D-NJ), led the effort that today resulted in the defeat of an amendment specifically targeting children's health insurance in New Jersey.

"Today we fought off a right-wing attempt to take away health insurance from thousands of New Jersey children," Lautenberg said. "In these tough times, New Jersey's families are suffering and cutting their health care coverage would have simply added to that burden. Today's vote was an important step to ensure our children can continue to see a doctor and get the medicine they need. We will keep fighting to make sure children in New Jersey and across the nation have accessible, affordable health care."

The Bunning amendment to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) reauthorization bill was defeated by a 54-44 vote. The amendment was a direct shot at New Jersey's FamilyCare program, which covers children from families that make up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level - working and low-income families that don't qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford health insurance in a high cost-of-living state like New Jersey. Had the amendment passed, only children in New Jersey would have been immediately affected.

Sen. Lautenberg helped persuade colleagues to oppose the amendment and spoke vehemently in opposition earlier today.

Source
Scott Mulhauser
Senior Advisor and Counsel
Office of Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg
324 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
http://www.lautenberg.senate.gov

• Additional
• References
• Citations