WASHINGTON – On Tuesday night, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) joined other House members in voting in favor of bipartisan legislation that will extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) – known in California as Healthy Families – for five more years.

This bill has strong bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, and it will allow 10 million American children to access health care.

“This bill is a prime example of Congress’ commitment to taking our country in a new direction,” said Thompson. “It maintains coverage for the 6.6 million children currently enrolled in SCHIP, and it provides states with the resources to cover an additional 4 million kids who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in SCHIP. Democrats and Republicans have cast aye votes for this bipartisan legislation. By standing together in support of this bill, we have also stood firm for America’s children.”

The $35 billion reauthorization complies with House Pay-As-You-Go rules, meaning that it is fully offset and will not result in an increase to the deficit.

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, it will result in the delivery of health care to more than 10 million children.

Healthy Families currently covers approximately 800,000 Californian children. These children reside in families that do not earn more than 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, which translates to less than $43,000 per year for a family of three.

“Investing in children’s health care is one of the wisest choices our federal government can make,” said Thompson. “Children have to be healthy to get an education and grow into productive adults. When kids see the doctor more regularly, they receive the preventive services that keep them healthier for longer – and they are less likely to end up in the emergency room, which saves everyone money. It’s a win all-around.”

The bill also provides incentives for states to improve their outreach and enrollment programs targeting children eligible for SCHIP and Medicaid. States will receive state-based allotments that are responsive to state demographic and national spending trends. States are also given the flexibility to improve both the dental services and the mental health benefits offered to SCHIP children.

“Earlier this month, we sent a bill to the president to lower the cost of college. This week, we will send him a bill that provides millions of kids with health coverage,” added Thompson. “His threats to veto this legislation are as foolish as they are shameful. A bipartisan Congress has put our children’s well-being at the front of its agenda. This bill is supported by 43 governors and hundreds of organizations, and I sincerely hope the president will put politics aside and sign it.”

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