U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, issued the following statement after President Bush vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007, which would expand SCHIP and provide health insurance for 10 million children across the country.

"This is a sad day for America's children. Working with Congress to protect the health of our children should be among the President's top priorities. Instead, President Bush has turned his back on Congress and millions of American children. Health care is a serious issue in our state. West Virginia has the highest rate of people suffering from preventable chronic diseases, costing our economy more than $8 billion a year in lost productivity. If the President refuses to allow the federal government to protect the health of our citizens, he should at least support legislation to help provide quality, low-cost health care at the state level. This is why I cosponsored the Voluntary State Discount Prescription Drug Plan Act of 2007 with Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), a commonsense plan that allows states to provide reasonably priced prescription drugs to millions of Americans. As a father and a grandfather, I am committed to helping provide affordable and accessible health care to the children of West Virginia and all Americans."