Clyburn Urges Children's Healthcare Expansion in Light of Slowing Economy
Calls on Colleagues to Override Presidential Veto
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
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WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today urged his colleagues to override the President’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) package, which would provide health coverage for 10 million children. The House fell 15 votes short of overriding the President’s veto. Below is Clyburn’s floor speech.
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3963, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program – SCHIP.
“Madam Speaker, hardworking American families are struggling and in dire need of assistance. I can think of no better way to help them than by providing health insurance coverage for their precious young ones.
“I find it shameful and downright neglectful for President Bush and Congressional Republicans to turn their backs on hardworking American families by refusing to support this SCHIP reauthorization bill.
“As we speak, the Governor of South Carolina is proposing to cut the State Children Health Insurance Program, in spite of the fact that last year the legislature overrode his veto on a similar effort. He wants to deny health care coverage to an additional 70,000 low and middle income children in order to cut the state’s income tax for a few of South Carolina’s wealthiest families.
“We all know, Madam Speaker, that when children are uninsured, minor health problems can become serious and chronic health problems. Those children often end up in emergency rooms and that means state residents with insurance ultimately will pay the bill in higher medical costs, higher deductibles, and higher co-pays for their own care. This contributes to a less efficient, more expensive health care system for all.
“I implore my colleagues to do as my state’s legislators have done in a bipartisan way, and override this veto. In doing so, you take a stand for our children and the preservation of our public health systems.
“Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time.”
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