LaMalfa Issues Statement on Extension of CHIP

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the House and Senate voted to extend the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years. The President has now signed that extension into law.

LaMalfa said: "We've worked to fully reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program for months – most recently passing legislation out of the House in November which would've accomplished that. Unfortunately, the Senate never managed 60 votes to take it up, forcing states to rely on short-term extensions. Now, despite opposition in the Senate and a brief government shutdown led by Sen. Chuck Schumer, we've finally reached a long term solution on CHIP, giving families relief and certainty. This is an important program to my district, and to millions of children around the country. Now we must shift our focus to ensure that Teaching Health Centers and Community Health Centers are reauthorized as well. This funding helps expand access to quality primary care in rural areas, while driving down unnecessary and costly hospital visits. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure these programs continue."

• 9 million children enrolled in the program nationwide.
• 1.3 million children enrolled in the state of California.
• 32,052 estimated children enrolled in California's 1^st district.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.