Congressman Johnson Votes to Expand State Children's Health Insurance

President Barack Obama signed the bill into law this afternoon.

H.R. 2 will provide an additional $32.8 billion over four and a half years for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), known in Georgia as PeachCare. In 2008, SCHIP provided health insurance for 7.1 million children nationwide. H.R. 2 will expand SCHIP to cover an additional 4.1 million. PeachCare provides essential health insurance for nearly 300,000 Georgian children whose families do not qualify for Medicaid.

Georgia state officials confirm there are between 85,000 and 100,000 children in Georgia who qualify for PeachCare but have not received coverage due to budgetary constraints. H.R. 2 will allow more uninsured children to join PeachCare and will ensure that those already enrolled do not lose coverage.

“Children’s healthcare has been one of my top priorities since I came to Washington,” said Congressman Johnson. “With the passage of this bill, we bolster Georgia’s underfunded PeachCare program to ensure that children get the healthcare they need even amidst a deepening recession.”

Johnson, who serves in the House leadership as whip for Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, is an original cosponsor of the legislation.

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