"Today is a great day for America's children," said Rev. Heyward Wiggins, Camden’s own pastor of Camden Bible Tabernacle and Camden Churches Organized for People (CCOP) clergy leader, after the House of Representatives voted 289-139 to pass SCHIP legislation that will cover a total of 10.6 million children.
The House's legislation will build on the successful SCHIP program by extending coverage to an additional four million uninsured children, over 80 percent of whom already qualify for SCHIP under current eligibility limits.
Today's vote for children comes at a time when unemployment is skyrocketing and more Americans are losing their employer-sponsored health insurance. Over the last year alone, over 1.2 million children have lost employer-based health insurance through their parents. One million children have enrolled in Medicaid or SCHIP after their parents lost their jobs.
"The House sent a clear message to struggling families that help is on the way," continued Rev. Wiggins, after attending the House's press conference soon after the vote. "Let's pray that we have more days like this to celebrate soon."
Reverend Wiggins stood with key leaders from the House of Representatives on behalf of the PICO National Network and all of PICO’s affiliate organizations, including CCOP. “The PICO National Network, CCOP and all our affiliates have worked so many years to get the SCHIP reauthorization to this point,” explained Reverend Wiggins. “I’m reminded of the words from the prophet Habakkuk, “For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.” There is work that still needs to be done on the federal and state levels, but it is a blessing to be at this point.”
PICO now looks to the Senate to move quickly to pass a strong SCHIP bill that includes long-term, stable funding for states and that eliminates the five-year waiting period for legally documented immigrant children. The Senate should work to put legislation on President-elect Obama's desk soon after Inauguration.
1 comment:
Thank you, Laura. I just called. For those in PA, Sen Specter is (202) 224-4254 and Sen. Casey is (202) 224-6324. Make sure to mention dropping the waiting period for immigrant kids. No child should have to wait 5 years for healthcare!
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