Lisa "Ady" Dewey, (202) 487-1895, ldewey@marchofdimes.com

Elizabeth Lynch, (914) 997-4286, elynch@marchofdimes.com

Todd Dezen, (914) 997-4608, tdezen@marchofdimes.com

U.S. SENATE PASSES CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT

MARCH OF DIMES THANKS VOLUNTEERS’ SUPPORT TO GIVE MILLIONS OF CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN ACCESS TO CARE

WASHINGTON, D.C., JANUARY 29, 2009 – Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, issued the following statement:

“Pregnant women who qualify can get critical maternity care, eleven million children can see a doctor, and many millions of children will benefit from improved quality of care.  All of this is included in the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) approved today by the U.S. Senate. And we are poised to move forward in promoting a culture of prevention, in responding to families’ economic stress over health care costs, and in ensuring that the sickest, most at-risk children in our country have access to needed care.
 "I particularly want to thank the thousands of moms and dads, grandparents, and friends who heeded the March of Dimes call to action and contacted their Senators urging passage of CHIPRA.  They responded because they know both the criticality of having access to medical care and that, in these tough economic times, too many of us are one paycheck away from being unable to afford needed care.
 “The March of Dimes applauds the Senate for its swift action to get states the resources necessary to strengthen their programs so that millions of uninsured women and children who qualify—whether citizens or legal immigrants—can get heath coverage.  It will indeed be cause for celebration when the final bill reaches President Obama’s desk for signature.”

- Dr. Jennifer Howse