WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement regarding State Health Insurance Program (SCHIP):

"The original intention of SCHIP was to provide low-income children with health insurance, which is a concept that I have always supported.

“Unfortunately, Democratic leaders are using SCHIP as a vehicle to expand health insurance to high-income families.  The Democrats’ bill would allow New York and New Jersey to expand SCHIP to families earning up to $88,000 a year. 

“This provision would take funds away from Mississippi’s poor children and leave them without health insurance.  We must focus our attention to ensure SCHIP remains targeted at low-income, uninsured children.”