DeLauro Praises Reauthorization of Children's Health Insurance Program

Washington, D.C.  – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) praised the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIPRA), which was signed into law by President Obama one year ago today.

Tough economic times, coupled with the escalating cost of health care, have made Medicaid and CHIP essential in helping to provide millions of our nation's children with health coverage their families would not otherwise be able to afford. In Connecticut, CHIP pays for 2/3 of the cost of the HUSKY B (Healthcare for UninSured Kids and Youth) program, enabling the state to provide essential health care coverage and access to care to more than 15,000 children.

"Millions of children across the country, and thousands in my own state, have benefitted from this critical legislation. In the past year, private health insurance has become less available and more expensive as families faced the most difficult economic times since the Great Depression. But programs like CHIPRA enable states to respond to the increasing need for affordable health coverage by preserving and strengthening children's coverage, offering a vital lifeline to struggling families," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "And remarkably, we now have the lowest uninsured rate among our children in 20 years. The Reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program is a great example of national and state leaders working together to provide affordable coverage options to our most vulnerable residents."