Ron Wyden

So the problems you describe would, essentially, be worse elsewhere?

That's the prospect families across the country are facing in a matter of weeks if Congress doesn't act.

It happened because two very strong-willed United States Senators, the late Senator Kennedy and the chairman of this committee, acknowledged that they had plenty of differences on plenty of issues, but both said, we have got to do right by…

This has real consequences if there is delay.

I was proud that in the 2009 reauthorization, an amendment I offered to include mandatory dental coverage was included under the CHIP program.

I very much appreciate what Senator Stabenow and Senator Grassley are trying to do here.

What we need is to fully fund the program and give States, and more importantly, families, the peace of mind...

This did not just come about by accident. It came about because of the extraordinary leadership of our chairman and the late Senator Kennedy.

Inefficiency wastes money. And if you waste money, you are not dealing with the scarce services.

It is really important for States to have the certainty right now so that they can plan appropriately.

I mean, obviously, we are going to have to have discussions back and forth on that, but that is my objective. That is our objective here.

It is vital that the Congress springs into action in the days ahead to reauthorize CHIP's funding.

I want to leave this hearing saying that I think we all understand--and you did not mean it that way, of course--that kids deserve the very best.

The Congress created CHIP with one goal in mind: that was to make sure that no American child falls through the cracks of our health-care system.

With all of the very difficult and complex decisions you have to make about health care in America, surely whether or not to extend CHIP is not one of the hard ones.

I hope at some point you are able to consider the recommendation of MACPAC and other organizations of reauthorizing and funding the program for at least 5 years.

But without congressional action soon--as Senator Wyden clearly explained--States will be forced to start preparations to shut these programs down.

I ask you today to continue funding CHIP.

I am confident that in short order Congress can pass a strong and bipartisan extension of CHIP that will last for many years.

CHIP adds a level of security to the health care of that single mom and others above and beyond Medicaid.

The last thing that single mom needs is a government letter stamped 'notice of termination' explaining that her sick kids are on their own because CHIP funding has run out.

Congress now faces an important decision regarding the future of CHIP during a period of great uncertainty affecting other health-care markets.

It does not get any bigger than standing up for vulnerable children.

This program is a lifeline for almost 9 million vulnerable kids.

There is no kicking this can down the road with a short-term bill, and it cannot wait until December.