Tucson lawmaker says next week's override vote is "absolutely critical for Arizona's children"
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today criticized President Bush for failing to recognize that health insurance for children is an essential part of any economic stimulus package.
"President Bush is wrong on this issue," Giffords said. "He announced an economic stimulus package this morning that fails to recognize health care as one of the most costly economic challenges confronting families and businesses. His economic plan falls short because it does not help the uninsured children in our country."
Speaking at the Tucson Nursery School, Giffords called on Congress to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which currently helps 65,000 of the Arizona's poorest children acquire health insurance through the state's KidsCare program. Under the terms of compromise legislation passed with bipartisan support last year, an additional 81,000 Arizona children would be eligible for health insurance.
"The president twice vetoed legislation that would extend insurance coverage to 10 million children, including more than 260,000 in Arizona. This is unacceptable, particularly in this time of severe economic uncertainty," Giffords said. "Congress has another opportunity to do the right thing on Wednesday in an override vote that is absolutely critical for Arizona's children."
Among the local health care experts agreeing with Giffords at today's event was Eric Schindler, president and CEO of Child and Family Resources. "I am here today because it is both morally wrong to have children without health insurance and economically shortsighted to not deliver preventive health care to youth before they develop costly illnesses as adults," he said.
Also in attendance today: Dan Duncan, senior vice president for external relations at the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona; Bill Pike, director of public policy at Carondelet Health Network; Rep. David Bradley of Tucson; and Sherry Bolinger, a Tucson mother whose child benefited from KidsCare. Giffords cited Bolinger in a speech she delivered on the floor of the House of Representatives on October 18. Video of that speech can be viewed on the "Press Center" page of the congresswoman's website, http://www.giffords.house.gov/.