U.S. House Gets the Job Done for America's Working Families and Delivers Children's...( Hispanic Leaders Urge Se...),Health

Hispanic Leaders Urge Senate to Follow House Lead and Pass Legislation that Includes Legal Immigrant Children and Families

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The House of Representatives today put America's working families first on their agenda and delivered peace of mind by reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation's leading Hispanic health advocacy group. "We are particularly proud that today's package, which includes coverage for legal immigrant children and pregnant women, was a reflection of the leadership by House of Ways and Means Committee member and Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Congressman Xavier Becerra," declared Dr. Delgado.

Earlier today, leading community-based organizations from across the U.S. sent Senate leadership an urgent letter calling for passage of State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation that includes four critical elements:

1. A full-five year reauthorization of the program in order to stabilize state budgets and encourage state expansions under their SCHIP programs;

2. An increase to no less than $1 from the current federal tobacco tax of 39 cents;

3. Coverage for legal immigrant children and pregnant women by incorporating provisions of the Legal Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act; and,

4. Provisions from bipartisan legislation in the 110th Congress that support limited English proficient outreach for SCHIP enrollment of children, including a 75% federal match to state funds for such outreach.

"We are pleased that the House has acted and we will continue our efforts to ensure that the Senate also passes SCHIP legislation that reflects our values as a nation," concluded Dr. Delgado.