BCBSA Commends House Passage Of CHIP Reauthorization
January 14, 2009
WASHINGTON – Scott P. Serota, president and chief executive officer of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009:
"Congress took a critical step today toward expanding health insurance coverage. H.R. 2 passed by the U.S. House of Representatives will strengthen the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and extend health insurance to an additional 4.1 million children.
"The bipartisan and overwhelming vote is a reflection of the support the program enjoys, its effectiveness at reducing the number of Americans who lack health insurance, and the importance of caring for the most vulnerable members of our society – our children.
"We applaud the House for its leadership and encourage the Senate to take quick action as well.
"CHIP has helped improve the health and well-being of millions of American children since its inception in 1997. Public-private partnerships have been at the core of this success. Most of the 39 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, which collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 102 million Americans, provide services to nearly one-third of individuals enrolled in CHIP and have a long history of community involvement to ensure children receive coverage.
"Despite this progress, millions of eligible children remain un-enrolled in the program. This legislation rightly places a priority on working to enroll those who remain uninsured. BCBS companies, who partner with states in the children's health insurance program, look forward to working with states to expand and develop new strategies to reach out to eligible families.
"Provisions adopted by the House will make it easier for states to subsidize employer coverage for CHIP enrollees when available. BCBSA strongly supports these efforts that will create a win-win proposition in support of our children's health."
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 39 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for 100 million members - one-in-three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit www.BCBS.com.
