Rick Allen: “there are 11 million reasons to vote for this bill, and each is a child in a working-class family who will grow up…”

“there are 11 million reasons to vote for this bill, and each is a child in a working-class family who will grow up healthier and stronger as a result of its passage. Every dollar we invest in the SCHIP program saves money over time. The children we cover are far less likely to require more expensive health care later on, far more likely to be better achievers in school and much better prepared to become productive adults. SCHIP today provides health care to 6 million children. This bill will cover an additional 5 million children who qualify for SCHIP but today lack coverage. Maine has developed one of the best SCHIP programs in the Nation. This bill offers States the flexibility to tailor outreach efforts to their specific needs and capacities. Failure to pass this legislation would mean the loss of health coverage for millions of children. But every child should have access to quality, affordable health care. I am proud of the comparative effectiveness research provision in this bill. It will reduce health care costs and improve quality for all Americans. It does that by providing doctors and their patients with valid evidence-based information on how different treatments for particular medical conditions compare to one another. This data can help doctors and their patients determine whether or not new or high-priced drugs, devices, and other medical treatments provide better clinical outcomes. This is a critically important piece of legislation.”