October 25, 2007

Today, Rep. Ed Perlmutter joined a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives (265-142) in voting to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This is the fourth vote to reauthorize this program this year. The President previously vetoed the bipartisan agreement passed by the House and the Senate.

“This current bill puts children first by addressing concerns raised by a minority of Republicans in the House and the President in an effort to provide healthcare to 10 million lower income children nationwide,” said Perlmutter. “We owe it to the more than 15,000 low income children enrolled in the CHIP program from Colorado ’s 7th Congressional District to put politics aside and reauthorize this vital program.”

This new bill contains clarifications to address concerns by some House Republicans that the legislation provides healthcare for illegal immigrants, adults and children from high-income families. The new bill specifically includes tough rules to verify citizenship, phases out child-less adults within one year, and prohibits funding to cover kids from families making above $51,510.

The bill now goes to the Senate where it is expected to pass, and then to the President who is expected to veto the bill again.