February 4: Kaptur Backs Health Insurance for 11 Million Children
February 4, 2009
“Insuring children is especially important at a time when our communities are facing double-digit unemployment,” Kaptur said. “I am hopeful that our Congress and our new president can continue relieve the worsening burdens on hard-hit families across the nation. Now so many American families can cease to worry about insuring their children.”
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 231,538 Ohio children. It also provides coverage for 4.1 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid, including119,000 children in Ohio who do not currently have health insurance.
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.
Our action today is a first step toward helping families to make ends meet as the full weight of this financial crisis settles on Main Street. Children weren’t the culprits who brought about of this economic upheaval. We must help them even as we struggle to stabilize communities across the country,” Kaptur added.
If you have questions about whether you and your family qualify for this insurance, contact Kaptur’s office at 419-259-7500 or contact your local Ohio county department of job and family services (CDJFS).
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 231,538 Ohio children. It also provides coverage for 4.1 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid, including119,000 children in Ohio who do not currently have health insurance.
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.
Our action today is a first step toward helping families to make ends meet as the full weight of this financial crisis settles on Main Street. Children weren’t the culprits who brought about of this economic upheaval. We must help them even as we struggle to stabilize communities across the country,” Kaptur added.
If you have questions about whether you and your family qualify for this insurance, contact Kaptur’s office at 419-259-7500 or contact your local Ohio county department of job and family services (CDJFS).