the children's partnership applauds senate's passage of schip reauthorization bill

On Thursday, January 29, 2009, the U.S. Senate approved legislation to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by a vote of 66 to 32. The Children's Partnership applauds the passage of this bill, which, if signed into law, will provide health insurance to about 11 million American children in low-income families, including legal immigrant children and pregnant women. The bill, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month by a two-to-one margin, will ensure continued coverage for the approximately 7 million children who currently rely on SCHIP and provide coverage to nearly 4 million additional uninsured children. The legislation also includes Express Lane Enrollment processes, which will help expedite enrollment of eligible but uninsured children into SCHIP. The Children's Partnership urges President Obama to show his commitment to our nation's children by quickly signing the SCHIP bill into law.