MEDIA ADVISORY, Tuesday, August 21, 2007
CONTACT: Yoni Cohen, Stark (202) 225-3202

Washington, D.C. – Representative Pete Stark (CA-13), Chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, today issued the following statement in response to new Bush Administration restrictions that will limit states’ abilities to provide health care to children through the Children’s Health Insurance Program:

“The simple and sad truth is that President Bush doesn’t want children to have health insurance,” said Stark. “Across America, health insurance premiums are rising, employers are cutting back, and children are being denied the health care they need. Instead of joining Congress to provide health care to millions of uninsured kids, the Bush Administration is imposing new restrictions that will kick kids out of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. I am astounded that the President has decided to take every step he can to make it more difficult for low-income children to get health care. This cynical calculation puts political ideology ahead of children and ought to be rejected by my Republican colleagues."