Printable Version
Retirees Say Partisan Politics Trumped Children’s Health
Thursday, October 18, 2007
For Immediate
Release
Retirees Say Partisan
Politics Trumped Children’s
Health
Alliance for Retired Americans
“Deeply Disappointed,” Vows to Strengthen
Fight for Health Care for
All
Washington, DC – The
Alliance for Retired Americans is deeply
disappointed in the failure of Congress to put
aside partisan politics and vote to override
President Bush's veto of the State Children's
Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), House Roll
Call No. 982.
“Recent polls have shown that a clear majority of Congress and the American people support SCHIP, and this vote demonstrates how far out of touch with the nation President Bush and the GOP leadership in Congress have become,” said George J. Kourpias, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans.
SCHIP provides health insurance for children in families who do not qualify for the low-income Medicaid program, yet cannot afford private coverage. Fully funding and expanding the program through H.R. 976 would have added $35 billion to the plan over five years, insuring an additional four million children.
Hundreds of thousands of children will now lose their health coverage, including basic check-ups and immunizations, when the program expires November 15th. Given the rising cost of health care, current funding is not enough to sustain all of the children already enrolled in SCHIP. Additionally, the number of uninsured children in America continues to rise as working families lose their coverage.
“This temporary setback will do nothing to deter our commitment to health care for all, as we are heartened by the strong inter-generational solidarity we’ve seen around this issue,” continued Kourpias. “Since some Representatives have been unwilling to listen to their constituents now, Alliance members will ensure their voices are heard next November.”
The Alliance for Retired Americans supports fully funding SCHIP as part of a commitment to protecting access to quality care through all stages of life, starting with childhood. Alliance members have heavily campaigned for the program’s expansion, including a September rally at the U.S. Capitol with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and dozens of parents and children.
Contact: Marcie Kohenak (202) 637-5178, mkohenak@retiredamericans.org