I've always held fast to the notion that if States believe they've got a plan that raises the bar for health care in terms of costs and coverage--rather than lowering it--they ought to be able to try it out.

So let's put our differences aside and work together on meaningful changes.

Let me be clear. I want to find a bipartisan path forward through this mess.

I am concerned that many of the proposals for a bipartisan solution would amount to little more than a bailout of the current system.

the ACA could effectively shift in the coming years from insuring the uninsured to un-insuring the previously insured.

before we adjourned for the recess, I came to this lectern to issue a call for comity, cooperation, and compromise. My message that day was simple: If we are serious about legislating--if we are truly committed to doing the work the…

If Congress doesn't act to provide additional Federal funding, a number of children who would likely be eligible for CHIP will go uninsured once Federal funding is exhausted.

Let's do the hard work now, colleagues, and uphold this body's promise to America's kids and their families.

We applaud your working together to examine solutions that will ensure that this program will continue to provide funding for low income children.

It's important for Congress to take action soon. There's no kicking this can down the road with a short-term bill.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been impacted over the past few days by Hurricane Irma.

We thank Chairman Hatch and Ranking Member Wyden for working together, in a bipartisan fashion, on legislation to ensure the continuation of CHIP funding for the long term.

CHIP adds a level of security to their health care above and beyond Medicaid.

Congress created CHIP with one goal in mind: to make sure no American child falls through the cracks of a health-care system with far too many.

While it isn't perfect, and while, in my view, some of the subsequent changes to the program have been regrettable, I believe that, overall, people consider it to be a success.

CHIP, from the outset, was a bipartisan program that enjoyed, and continues to enjoy, broad bipartisan support.

CHIP has helped children whose families have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but too low to afford private health insurance.

We greatly appreciate the joint statement by Chairman Hatch and Ranking Member Wyden, released on the 20th anniversary of the program.