Senator Highlights CF During Children’s Health Insurance Debate

January 28, 2009

During the Senate debate on the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) spoke of the importance of the program by sharing the story of Brenna Krug, a 6-year-old child with CF from Marysville, Wash.

Standing beside a photograph of Brenna and reading aloud from a letter written by Brenna’s mother, Brandy, Senator Murray spoke about the importance of health coverage for children with chronic diseases, especially in light of the country’s current economic situation.

Senator Murray quoted Brandy, saying, “I don’t know what I would do if I did not have this wonderful program. I simply would not be able to pay for her to receive the care she does now. I would be in never-ending medical debt, and in the end of it all, I would—mostly likely—lose my daughter either way.”

Read Senator Murray’s full statement.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to reauthorize CHIP. The Senate is expected to vote on this legislation by the end of this week.

Over the past month, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Advocates have sent more than 3,000 messages to legislators asking Congress to expand health coverage for children with cystic fibrosis.

Advocates wrote their elected officials to convey the importance of CHIP, which ensures that many children with cystic fibrosis have access to the health care and treatments that they need

CHIP is one of many important legislative issues that impact people with cystic fibrosis. By becoming an Advocate with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, volunteers and supporters can directly influence the policies that help in the fight against cystic fibrosis. Learn more about becoming an Advocate.

Watch here to see Senator Murray speak on the floor of the Senate.