Bennet Votes to Renew, Improve Children's Health Insurance Program

Measure Will Extend Coverage to Over 4 Million More Uninsured Children

Washington, D.C. - Today, United States Senator Michael Bennet joined a bipartisan group of Senators in approving the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.R. 2), legislation that provides quality, affordable health coverage to millions of uninsured children from low-income families across the nation.

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers low-cost, quality health insurance to children and pregnant women who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but do not earn enough to afford private health insurance.

"The fact that 180,000 children in Colorado do not have health coverage is simply unacceptable," said Senator Bennet. "Tonight, we took an important step to reinvest in the health and future of millions of uninsured children, a priority we have neglected for far too long. This bill will help build on CHIP's success and provide more children with the coverage they need to lead to healthy, stable and productive lives."

The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.R. 2), will now be sent to a legislative conference committee to reconcile differences between the House- and Senate-passed versions of the bill.