Press Release - Oct 18, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCT. 18, 2007
CONTACTS:
Laura Chapin, 303.866.6386
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER STATEMENT ON FAILURE OF SCHIP VETO OVERRIDE VOTE
Gov. Bill Ritter issued the following statement today following the failure of the House vote to override President Bush's SCHIP veto:
"President Bush was wrong when he vetoed SCHIP legislation on Oct. 3, and the House members who voted against overriding the veto were wrong today. I am particularly disappointed with the members of the Colorado delegation who turned their backs on the 57,000 Colorado children who now are at risk of losing health coverage next year.
"Colorado has sufficient funding to keep CHP+ going for another year. Without federal reauthorization, the state would then have to find an additional $65 million a year to maintain the program, or discontinue this valuable state-federal partnership. To me, that's an unacceptable option.
"The SCHIP reauthorization legislation was passed by a bipartisan group of senators and representatives and was supported by governors across the country, Republicans and Democrats alike. For the sake of this nation's children, I urge the President and Congress to now find common ground on this important issue."