Rep. Todd Tiahrt voted against helping thousands of low-income children receive quality health care. Rep. Todd Tiahrt voted against the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, which will help thousands of Kansas families provide health care to their children. President Obama signed the bill today, extending the program through 2013. Kansas Democratic Party Executive Director, Kenny Johnston, released the following statement regarding Rep. Tiahrt’s vote: “Keeping our children healthy isn’t a political issue, but a moral one. In today’s sluggish economy, working Kansans must be able to take their children to a doctor without worrying whether they can afford to save their child’s life. “True leaders don’t give themselves the best health care in the world while turning their back on ailing children. With this vote, Rep. Tiahrt revealed his values; and they’re not Kansas values.” Republican Representative Lynn Jenkins also opposed the plan, as did Republican Senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts. Democratic Congressman Dennis Moore supported the measure. The children’s health care bill passed by congress will provide sufficient federal funding to expand the program through 2013. Under the bill, approximately 2,125 Kansas children would be covered in 2010 and 5,390 in 2011. Enrollment in the program is expected grow to over 8000 in 2015.