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Press Release: LULAC Congratulates Senate Finance Committee For Supporting The Legal Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act. We encourage all members of the United State Senate to urge support of immigrant children and pregnant women. January 16, 2009 For more information contact: Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) applauds the Senate Finance Committee passage of the Legal Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act (ICHIA) by a vote of 12-7. LULAC encourages Senators to strongly support access to health care for lawfully-residing immigrant children with no five-year waiting period, and vigorously oppose any amendments to undermine health coverage for immigrant children and pregnant women. “The Children’s Health Insurance Program has a long history of getting millions of uninsured, low-income kids the doctor’s visits and medicines they need to stay healthy,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “The Finance Committee has put millions more kids from low-income, working families one step closer to decent, dependable health care. We look forward to final passage of this bill on the Senate floor and watching President Obama sign this important piece of legislation that is long overdue.” By a vote of 12 to seven, the panel approved an amendment by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) allowing coverage for low-income, uninsured, legal immigrant children who have been in the U.S. fewer than five years, and for low-income, uninsured, legal immigrant women who are pregnant and have been in the U.S. fewer than five years. A subsequent amendment by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) requires regular re-verification of legal status. An amendment by Senator Snowe will allow children lacking dental coverage in their own health insurance to receive dental benefits through CHIP. The full legislation as approved by the Committee now moves to the full Senate for approval.The League of the United Latin American Citizens advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Hispanic membership organization in the country, advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide. # # # |