releases: https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-briefs-nj-child-health-care-providers-advocates-on-efforts-to-save-chip-health-care-funding
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-briefs-nj-child-health-care-providers-advocates-on-efforts-to-save-chip-health-care-funding | Menendez Briefs NJ Child Health Care Providers, Advocates on Efforts to Save CHIP, Health Care Funding | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | NJ | Robert Menendez | M000639 | www.menendez.senate.gov | legacy | Menendez Briefs NJ Child Health Care Providers, Advocates on Efforts to Save CHIP, Health Care Funding Menendez Briefs NJ Child Health Care Providers, Advocates on Efforts to Save CHIP, Health Care Funding Wednesday, December 13, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that sets national health policy, today held a conference call with New Jersey parents, doctors and leading health care advocates to discuss his efforts on continuing funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Community Health Centers (CHC). Millions of New Jerseyans rely on the services provided by these two federal programs for their insurance and health care needs. Sen. Menendez hopes a bipartisan agreement can be made to fund these programs on a long term basis. “It’s astounding to think that a program like CHIP – which has always enjoyed strong bipartisan support – has been put on the backburner as trillion-dollar corporate tax cuts move through Congress at lightning speed,” said Sen. Menendez. “Health care for nine million children in this country is not – and should never be – a bargaining chip. It’s not a concession. It’s a bipartisan priority and it deserves to be treated as such.” To listen to a replay of the call (with fast-forward and rewind options) dial 1-800-475-6701, and dial access code 439009. You can read Sen. Menendez’s opening remarks below: “Good morning everyone and Happy Hanukah. When I heard Artin and Swarna were organizing this call with all of you to talk about health care and the end of the year, I wanted to jump on and personally give you an update on what is going on in Washington. “Last week, Congress passed and the President signed a two week Continuing Resolution to fund the government through December 22nd. It was designed to do one thing – keep the government open. House Republicans only agreed to it because they were promised that any year-end deal would include no fixes on big ticket issues, like help for Dreamers, stability for the ACA marketplaces, or an extension of the debt ceiling. But we can’t keep kicking the can down the road. “Congress must act before midnight on the 22nd to prevent a government shutdown, and there’s a lot of moving pieces. “In particular, I’m concerned about the lack of movement on CHIP, Community Health Center, and MIECHV funding. We should have dealt with these items months ago. And I appreciate the anxiety you must all feel from the lack of clarity on health care programs and their funding. I share those concerns – because I know what they mean for New Jersey families. “As all of you know, it’s been over two months since the Senate let funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program lapse. “Back in September, I co-introduced the bipartisan KIDS Act. This legislation would reauthorize CHIP for the next five years - through FY2022. “Our bill would also allow states to continue using the express lane option for enrollment, the childhood obesity research demonstration, and the pediatric quality measures. The KIDS Act also kept the enhanced Federal matching rate at current levels through 2019. In 2020 that enhanced rate changes to 11.5% more than regular CHIP and after 2020 we return to traditional CHIP rates. This is extraordinary given Republicans wanted to cut the enhanced rated immediately. “We know how vital CHIP is to New Jersey. It supports health care programs that together cover nearly 230,000 kids across our state. “It’s astounding to think that a program like CHIP – which has always enjoyed strong bipartisan support – has been put on the backburner as trillion-dollar corporate tax cuts move through Congress at lightning speed. Health care for nine million children is not – and never should be – a bargaining CHIP. It’s not a concession. It’s a bipartisan priority and it deserves to be treated as such. “Of course, CHIP isn’t the only health care program we need to protect in this fight. And I’m pleased we’ve taken several steps forward on some important issues. “I was pleased that 70 Senators signed a letter led by Senators Stabenow, Blunt and I to leadership about the importance of community health center funding. We would like to see funding be a clean extension so our health centers can continue to serve our communities. Early reports indicated the health centers will get at least another two years of funding- again, 5 years is better and I will continue to advocate for that. “We have a discussion draft that lays out a path forward on many other health programs like MIECHV. “While we would like to see a five year MIECHV deal that would also provide a funding bump, the Senate Finance discussion draft only provides a two year clean extension. Right now, this means MIECHV will need to be reauthorized and funded at the same time as several other health programs in two years which may make it easier to move than if it struck out on its own. The House had advanced some legislation as well- but there are problematic elements in those House bills that make them a hard sell for me- I believe in the Public Health Prevention Fund and the work it does. I do not support a state match requirement in MIECHV. “The bottom line is this: America’s health care system shouldn’t an afterthought – it should be a priority. But instead of working together to craft a path forward on a year-end deal, my Republican colleagues are more focused on ramming through this deeply unpopular tax bill. “The Republican tax legislation is terrible for New Jersey on many fronts – from gutting the SALT deduction to its last-minute assault on the Affordable Care Act that could strip 13 million Americans of their coverage. “As some of you may know, I’m on the conference committee and let me tell you it’s nothing like SchoolHouse Rock. This is a pre-baked charade meant to do one thing – deliver President Trump a big win. “It is likely there will language either late this week or early next week- and they want to vote on it before Christmas. The odds are stacked against us, but I am going to do everything I can to represent your interests at the first conference meeting today. “Thank you all for taking the time to be on this call and for all your hard work this year. We aren’t out of the woods yet and, and I fear that next year we may find ourselves in a fight for the future of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. That’s a battle we will need to fight together – but I’m glad to have all of you in the ring with me. “All of us believe that our economy is stronger and our nation more just when all Americans have access to quality affordable health care – and I want to thank you for all you do in service that goal.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |