Greg Walden: “It would mean continued access to healthcare for approximately 9 million children across the country who are enrolled in…”

“It would mean continued access to healthcare for approximately 9 million children across the country who are enrolled in CHIP, another 122,700 in Oregon alone. Our House bill was fully funded. We did the heavy lift. We funded it through responsible reforms like asking seniors who make $40,000 a month, that is $480,000 a year, to pay about $135 more for their Medicare. Rich seniors pay a little more, and I am sure these grandmothers and grandfathers would do that to help kids afford their health insurance, and that is what happened here. Mr. Speaker, we paid it. It is ready to go. We need the Senate to act. I commend the Appropriations Committee and the leadership there for putting this provision in so we won't let kids fall through the gap. {time} 1515”