Russ Feingold: “last night, the Senate was able to successfully pass the reauthorization of a popular program that has reduced the…”

“last night, the Senate was able to successfully pass the reauthorization of a popular program that has reduced the number of uninsured children in our country by over 6 million. The Children's Health Insurance Program has helped lower the rate of uninsured low-income children by one-third since its enactment in 1997. That is a huge accomplishment, and has helped address a problem in our country that is unacceptable--the millions of families lacking insurance. Moreover, while the bill has a pricetag of roughly $40 billion over 10 years, it is fully offset and would cover over 3 million more children. This program, according to CBO and numerous economists, is the most efficient method of getting health care insurance to low-income kids and parents, and that means CHIP provides the best coverage available for low-income families. In my home state of Wisconsin, CHIP is known as BadgerCare and it provides health insurance for over 67,000 families. My State has done an incredible job of covering uninsured families, and the positive effects of this program are felt at schools, in the workforce, and at home. This bill helps support Wisconsin's efforts and provides low-income children in my State with better access to preventive care, primary care, and affordable care. The end result is healthier families.”