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For Immediate Release Senator White Issues Statement on CHIP Funding Senate Republicans committed to protecting children's health care Senator Don White, (R-41) Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, issued the following statement reaffirming the Senate Republican Caucus's commitment to Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program. "It is disappointing, but hardly surprising, that Pennsylvania's CHIP program is being treated by the Governor like a poker chip in his high-stakes game to increase state spending. Since passage of Senate Bill 850, which reduced state spending to match the revenues we expect to receive next year, the Governor has marched out his cabinet members on an almost daily basis to forecast gloom and doom if the Legislature doesn't accept his budget -- which at this point is already $1 billion out of balance. "CHIP is a proven, successful program without a waiting list and no cap on enrollment. Senate Republicans strongly support CHIP and have since its inception 16 years ago. This support enabled Pennsylvania to become a model for the federal children's health insurance initiative. Senate Bill 850 maintains state spending for CHIP at its current level, ensuring that a monthly average of 195,000 children will receive the health care coverage they need. "In addition, we don't know and haven't factored into the FY 2009-10 budget what additional funding the Commonwealth will receive as a result of the federal government's massive tobacco tax increase for the S-CHIP initiative. "If we truly care about our children, then we must not mortgage their future through imprudent spending or tax increases. We must make difficult decisions today to weather the current economic crisis and plan for the future. We must work together to pass a sensible, practical and fiscally responsible budget." Contact: Joe Pittman
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