Anna Eshoo: “last week the Committee on Commerce wrote a bill, and with it wrote a sad new chapter against children in our country.…”

“last week the Committee on Commerce wrote a bill, and with it wrote a sad new chapter against children in our country. The Republicans voted down several key amendments, but I want to highlight one in particular this morning. The bill does state that Medicaid-insured children receive periodic medical examinations. That is the good news. Today, if any medical condition is discovered during screening, it is covered by that insurance. It makes sense, right? Check kids for medical problems and treat them if they are sick. Not according to the Republicans. Their bill says children are to be examined, but there are no provisions for treatment. Imagine the situation this creates. Children will be diagnosed, but no insurance exists for treatment. Are they to get better on their own? Would any of us as parents accept this for our children? I offered an amendment, Mr. Speaker, which restored the guarantee of treatment for children. All 23 Republicans voted against it. Those votes may have been louder than words in the committee, but I think the American people are going to screen out this policy. Our Nation's children deserve better.”