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LEGISLATIVE ALERT2/4/2009SCHIP Victory for Children's HealthMajor Victory for Children's Health
Today, our nation took a momentous leap forward towards ensuring that all children have access to quality health coverage. After passing both the House and Senate, legislation reauthorizing and expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP or CHIP) was signed into law today by President Obama.
The legislation - good for four and a half years - maintains health coverage for children and youth currently enrolled in the program and expands coverage to over four million additional children. In addition, many improvements were made to the program, including guaranteed dental benefits, mental health parity, a state option to implement express lane eligibility, grants for outreach and enrollment, and establishment of a child health quality initiative. Another improvement in the legislation advocated by CWLA and many other organizations is the elimination of the five-year waiting period for legal immigrant children and pregnant women to enroll in Medicaid or CHIP.
This is a historic day for children. Congress and the President have shown that children are a priority by making such a significant investment to improve their physical and mental health. CWLA sincerely thanks and applauds those members of Congress who championed this effort. Because of their commitment, we are closer to our goal of insuring all children!
© Child Welfare League of America. The content of these publications may not be reproduced in any way, including posting on the Internet, without the permission of CWLA. For permission to use material from CWLA's website or publications, contact us using our website assistance form.
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