Override of President's Veto of Children's Health Care Missed by Small Margin
October 18, 2007
Rep. Thompson Vows to Continue Fight for Our Kids
Today, the House fell 13 votes short in an attempt to override President Bush's veto of a bill to reauthorize the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
“Unfortunately, Members of Congress who chose to walk lock-step with the president rather than represent their constituents have kept millions of children from getting the health care they desperately need,” said Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA).
“This bipartisan bill will provide coverage to more than 10 million children from families that can't afford private insurance,” continued Thompson. “In addition to being supported by the vast majority of Americans, this bill is supported by 43 governors and hundreds of health-related organizations, including the health insurance companies. And, it's completely paid for. Those Members of Congress who voted against this bill and then call themselves compassionate conservatives should take a long, hard look in the mirror.”
Specifically, this legislation would continue coverage for 6.6 million children and extend coverage to 4 million children who qualify, but are not currently enrolled. California has already identified 200,000 uninsured children who could benefit from this program if the current bill became law.
“This bill is the product of months of compromise between Democrats and Republicans, so when opponents say they're waiting for a compromise bill, they're blowing a lot of hot air,” said Thompson. “Claims that this bill provides coverage to adults and illegal immigrants or raises the income eligibility are equally false. This bill does not change the eligibility for SCHIP at all. It simply increases the resources available for SCHIP so kids who aren't currently enrolled but qualify can get the coverage they need.”
An override of the president's veto requires a two-thirds majority, and today's vote was 13 votes short.
“We're going to continue to fight for this bill until we prevail,” said Thompson. “Reauthorizing SCHIP in order to expand health care for our children is a fight we cannot afford to lose.”
CONTACT: Anne Warden at (202) 225-3311, (703) 338-4480 or anne.warden@mail.house.gov.
“Unfortunately, Members of Congress who chose to walk lock-step with the president rather than represent their constituents have kept millions of children from getting the health care they desperately need,” said Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA).
“This bipartisan bill will provide coverage to more than 10 million children from families that can't afford private insurance,” continued Thompson. “In addition to being supported by the vast majority of Americans, this bill is supported by 43 governors and hundreds of health-related organizations, including the health insurance companies. And, it's completely paid for. Those Members of Congress who voted against this bill and then call themselves compassionate conservatives should take a long, hard look in the mirror.”
Specifically, this legislation would continue coverage for 6.6 million children and extend coverage to 4 million children who qualify, but are not currently enrolled. California has already identified 200,000 uninsured children who could benefit from this program if the current bill became law.
“This bill is the product of months of compromise between Democrats and Republicans, so when opponents say they're waiting for a compromise bill, they're blowing a lot of hot air,” said Thompson. “Claims that this bill provides coverage to adults and illegal immigrants or raises the income eligibility are equally false. This bill does not change the eligibility for SCHIP at all. It simply increases the resources available for SCHIP so kids who aren't currently enrolled but qualify can get the coverage they need.”
An override of the president's veto requires a two-thirds majority, and today's vote was 13 votes short.
“We're going to continue to fight for this bill until we prevail,” said Thompson. “Reauthorizing SCHIP in order to expand health care for our children is a fight we cannot afford to lose.”
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CONTACT: Anne Warden at (202) 225-3311, (703) 338-4480 or anne.warden@mail.house.gov.
Issues:Health Care