WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps, a nurse and Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after President Bush vetoed bipartisan legislation that would have provided health insurance to 10 million children through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  The bill would have protected the health insurance of 6 million children currently enrolled in CHIP and extended health insurance to 4 million children who are eligible for coverage through the CHIP program but who do not receive coverage due to a lack of funding:

"I was disappointed but not surprised to hear of President Bush's misguided veto of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program today.  This shortsighted decision reflects the President's stubborn insistence on playing partisan politics with our children's health and wellbeing.  Over 70 percent of the American people agree with a majority of Congress that providing this vital health coverage for ten million of our children is a priority that should supersede partisan politics.  In the coming days I will join my colleagues in voting to overturn this ill-advised veto and continue working to protect this critical health care program for our neediest children."

###

Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.