Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted today in favor of H.R. 2, Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. This bill reauthorizes the Children’s Health Insurance Program through Fiscal Year 2013 and will strengthen the program’s financing, increase health insurance coverage for low-income children, and improve the quality of health care children receive. Alaska will see Denali KidCare funding increase from $10.4 million to $22.3 million.
“This bill is an important piece of legislation for our country and for Alaska,” said Rep. Young. “Economically we are going through some hard times now, and the health of our children should not suffer because of it. This bill is not perfect; the idea of raising the tobacco tax to pay for this program is flawed. But in the short term, it can help states increase the number of children who will receive coverage. H.R. 2 is also an improvement over previous versions, mainly in that there are no under-the-radar provisions that provide federally funded health care to illegal immigrants. My main concern is always Alaskans, especially the next generation of Alaskans. I vote today for this bill because it takes care of our young Alaskans and helps ensure a bright and healthy future for them.”
