Reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program by the House of Representatives shows that it is serious about prioritizing the pressing needs of our nation’s working families, especially during these turbulent economic times. The Senate must not delay in putting this much-needed legislation to a vote, so that our new President can sign it into law as one of his first orders of business.

No child in this country should be made to wait a day longer without access to quality medical care. With 2.5 million jobs lost last year and unemployment at a 16-year high, it is critical that Congress demonstrates a commitment to children who are either losing their health coverage or were already uninsured. The most recent Census Bureau data, compiled before the recent economic downturn, shows that at least 8.6 million children remain uninsured in this country.

The reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program would cover an additional 4 million children from low-income families who are struggling to make ends meet. And timely passage would give states the assurance that adequate funding will be made available to keep this vital program working, despite growing budget shortfalls. We need to build upon a program that has already successfully reduced the number of uninsured children by one-third since it was enacted in 1997.

Quick and strong bipartisan support for the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program will only be the first response to a national health care emergency that is in dire need of broad reform as the new administration takes office. As policymakers continue to craft an economic recovery package in the coming weeks, they should include provisions laying the groundwork for the substantial health care reform that this country so badly needs.

Contact: Zack Pesavento (202) 637-5018