While 72 Percent of Americans Support the Bipartisan Compromise Children’s Health Bill, Bush Callously Vetoes Bill
WASHINGTON, DC – As President Bush’s veto threat of the bipartisan, compromise bill reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) became a grim reality, Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) today issued the following statement:
“It is shameful that President Bush would play politics with our children’s health. Showing his true colors when it comes to America’s low-income children, the President’s cynical political rhetoric trumpeted the healthy future of over 10 million kids nationwide. His actions today will jeopardize health care for over 10 million children of the working poor.
“The President is making a grave mistake by putting politics above kids’ health. Despite the falsehoods in his rhetoric, this compromise bill targets the lowest-income uninsured American children whose parents can’t afford health insurance. Our goal is to provide coverage to as many children eligible for the program currently not enrolled.
“President Bush sent a clear message to 116,000 kids in Colorado that their health is not a priority. Children in Colorado and across the country are relying on this vital program for their health care. Congress will not let the coverage lapse for those currently receiving health care. We will take the necessary steps to continue and enhance this program.”
Under the bipartisan, compromise children’s health care bill, the health care of 6.6 million children would have been preserved while providing 3.8 million additional children with health care coverage. In Colorado, 60,000 uninsured kids would have gained access to health care raising the total number of kids covered to 116,000.
An ABC News/Washington Post recently-released poll highlights overwhelming support among the American people of the children’s health insurance program. In fact, 72 percent of Americans support a $35 billion increase in the program. Support for the bipartisan children’s health insurance bill includes overwhelming majorities regardless of political party - including 81 percent of Democrats, 69 percent of Independents, and 61 percent of Republicans.
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