Jay Rockefeller: “I rise today with my friends and colleagues--Senators Reed, Lautenberg, Corzine, Sarbanes, and Kerry--to introduce an…”

“I rise today with my friends and colleagues--Senators Reed, Lautenberg, Corzine, Sarbanes, and Kerry--to introduce an important piece of legislation, the MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2005. This legislation will provide health insurance for every child in the United States by 2012, regardless of family income. My long-time friend from California, Congressman Stark, is introducing a companion bill in the House. He has worked tirelessly to improve access to health care for all Americans, and I am pleased to be joining him once again to advocate on behalf of America's children. We have introduced this legislation in each of the last three Congresses because we know how vital health insurance is to a child. Children with untreated illnesses are less likely to learn and therefore less likely to move out of poverty. Such children have an inherent disadvantage when it comes to being productive members of society. We can have a positive impact on our children's lives today as well as tomorrow by guaranteeing health insurance coverage for all. Children are inexpensive to insure, but the rewards for providing them with health care during their early education and development years are enormous. Despite the well-documented benefits of providing health insurance coverage for children, there are still over 8 million uninsured children in America. We can and must do better. Our children are our future.…”