Mike Thompson: “investing in children's health care is one of the best investments our country can make. When kids see the doctor more…”

“investing in children's health care is one of the best investments our country can make. When kids see the doctor more regularly, they receive the preventive services that keep them healthier for longer. And they're less likely to end up in the emergency room, which saves everyone money. The State Children's Health Insurance Program has been an extraordinary success. Over 1.5 million children in my home State of California get their health care through this program. However, today, we still have 1.25 million uninsured kids in California. That is unacceptable in the United States of America. This bill will begin to address that tragedy by providing health care for almost 700,000 additional children in California alone. As a down payment toward health care reform, this legislation will reduce the percentage of uninsured children, just in California, by 55 percent. Our children deserve a healthy start. And this legislation ensures that 4 million more children across the country will get just that. I ask for your ``aye'' vote.”