Washington - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today blocked a move on the Senate floor that threatened the benefits available to children, pregnant women and parents under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). Currently 500,000 children and 80,000 parents in New Jersey are enrolled in the state's S-CHIP program, and it has been found that increased adult enrollment leads to increased child enrollment.

Menendez, a champion of the S-CHIP program, rose to object when Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) attempted to pass legislation by unanimous consent on the Senate Floor that would have altered the S-CHIP program. Chambliss's legislation was an attempt to address the S-CHIP shortfall by only allowing a lower reimbursement match for adults. This would have shifted a large financial burden to the state and would have jeopardized coverage for over half a million children and parents. Menendez's objection blocked the Chambliss bill from passing.

"Time and again we find ourselves in this same debate, and I wonder how some in Washington, with some of the best health care coverage, could propose cutting coverage for America's neediest children and families," said Menendez. "We in New Jersey have seen how covering parents increases enrollment for children, so by decreasing the number of adults who are enrolled in S-CHIP, we would be pushing more children back into the ranks of the uninsured.

"The solution to the S-CHIP shortfall is fully supporting the program, not weakening it. I am proud to have given these families a voice today by blocking this reckless proposal."

Earlier in the day, Menendez hailed the Senate passage of the Supplemental Appropriations bill, which included emergency funding for S-CHIP.

Previous Menendez action on S-CHIP:

March 21, 2007: http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=271032

March 2, 2007: http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=271032

January 26, 2007: http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=271032

December 8, 2006: http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=271032

November 28, 2006: http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=271032

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