REP. SALAZAR VOTES TO OVERTURN SCHIP VETO

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. John T. Salazar voted to support the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and override the President’s veto of bipartisan legislation to provide health care to 10 million children.

A recent analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service found that nearly 70,000 children in Colorado currently receive care through SCHIP, and the bipartisan plan vetoed by the President would have extended care to an additional 60,000 currently uninsured children across the State.

“The President’s veto on December 12th denied health care to children of hardworking families across Colorado just as the economy began experiencing a downturn,” Rep. Salazar said.  “With working families increasingly struggling to make ends meet, partisanship must be put aside to ensure that our children are not denied access to their family doctors.”

The legislation vetoed by the President provided a $35 billion expansion of the SCHIP program and would have provided health care coverage to 10 million children. The legislation was backed by Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of Congress, and support from Governor Ritter and Counties across Colorado.

On behalf of working families in Colorado, Rep. Salazar vowed to continue his fight in Washington to reauthorize the successful SCHIP program.

Rep. Salazar added, “I’m disappointed that we were unable to override this irresponsible veto, and saddened that there are still some members of Congress who fail to see the importance of children’s healthcare.”