Boozman: SCHIP Legislation Falls Short

Press Release

Boozman: SCHIP Legislation Falls Short

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after the House vote on an Amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) a program designed to give low-income children access to high quality, affordable health care:

"Children from low-income families require our help to get the healthcare they need. We owe it to them and the American taxpayers to craft legislation that maintains the focus on low-income American children, but I am concerned it allows adults, illegal immigrants and children who are covered under private insurance to qualify instead of helping low-income children who really need the service."

"During a time when American taxpayers are losing their jobs and Congress is debating an $800 billion dollar economic stimulus bill to put hardworking taxpayers back to work, it is irresponsible of Washington to loosen restrictions on the program and we must work to ensure less advantaged children get the care they deserve."

"With more than 65,000 Arkansas children on the program, SCHIP has been a great success. I am committed to seeing the success continue and to working with my colleagues to develop an SCHIP reauthorization bill that addresses the needs of hardworking American families that don't have the access they need to quality, affordable healthcare. We can find better solutions before current program funding expires in March."

Source