Pascrell Joins President Obama at the White House for Signing of Childrens Health Insurance Measure

WASHINGTON-- Following passage of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act in Congress earlier today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) joined President Barack Obama at the White House for the signing of legislation that could expand health care to over 116,000 New Jersey children.

“Americans should be reassured that one of the first actions taken by this President will provide health care coverage to over 4 million children,” stated Pascrell a member of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee.  “Today is not the first time Congress has approved an expansion of health care for kids, but it is the first time in years we have had a President who shares our commitment to America’s children.  The last two times this legislation made it so far, it was met with a veto pen.  Today marks a new day and a welcome change in America’s health care policy.”  

This bipartisan bill reauthorizes the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through FY 2013.  It preserves the coverage for all 7.1 million children currently covered by SCHIP, including preserving the coverage of 150,000 children in New Jersey.  It also provides coverage for 4.1 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid, including over 116,000 New Jersey children. 

The bill is fully paid for – raising the tobacco tax by 62 cents.  Raising the tobacco tax also promotes children’s health – by discouraging children from smoking.  According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a 62-cent increase in the tobacco tax means that nearly 1.9 million fewer children will take up smoking.

“With more and more parents losing their jobs in this difficult economy, expanding SCHIP and programs like NJ FamilyCare are more critical than ever before.

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