CHC Chair Statement on CHIP/CHC Reauthorization

Washington D.C. – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) issued the following statement after H.R. 3922, the GOP CHIP-CHC Reauthorization bill, passed the House 242-174. H.R. 3922 is a highly partisan bill, which pays for the reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Community Health Centers (CHCs) and other expiring public health initiatives by undermining the ACA, cutting the Prevention and Public Health Fund and raising Medicare premiums for seniors:

"By raising Medicare premiums for seniors, undermining health care coverage, and cutting $6.35 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Fund, the GOP CHIP-CHC Reauthorization bill rolls back important health gains made by the Hispanic community. Individually, these bills have historically had broad bipartisan support because they provide children and low-income Americans with critical health coverage and access to preventive health services that keep our communities healthy. This bill was a false choice between health care for some and health cuts for so many others. Furthermore, this bill inadequately funds Medicaid programs in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that will deprive thousands of American citizens of critical, life-saving services. After a historically devastating hurricane hit the island, the bill requires Puerto Rico to provide a burdensome cost-sharing Medicaid match while the cash-strapped island is still reeling from the hurricane and recovery efforts. Instead of putting forth a highly partisan bill that harms the health of millions of Hispanics and our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico, we should work together to find a bipartisan compromise that does not undermine the health of our nation."

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