WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman David Wu today voted to override the president's veto that prevents the continuation of the Children's Health Insurance Program, a crucial health care safety net for low-income uninsured children. The veto means that 10 million children who fall into the gap between Medicaid and private insurance will not have access to affordable health care.

"The president's veto was foolish and upholding it represents a rejection of responsible, compassionate public policy. Politics got in the way of 10 million children and their access to affordable health care," Congressman Wu said. 

H.R. 976 would have reauthorized and increased participation in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). However, now that the president's veto stands, 6.6 million children currently covered by SCHIP will lose their health coverage on November 16. Because the bill would have expanded coverage to an additional 3.8 million children, those children will continue to be without access to affordable health care.

The legislation was paid for by a 61-cent per pack tobacco tax increase. Not only would more uninsured children have access to affordable health care, but, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a 61-cent increase in the tobacco tax means that 1,873,000 fewer children would take up smoking.

In Oregon, approximately 39,500 children currently are covered by SCHIP under its existing provisions. However because of the president's veto those children are at risk of losing their health coverage. Furthermore, none of the remaining 107,000 uninsured children in Oregon will be covered. 

Excerpts from Congressman Wu's statement in support of the Children's Health Insurance Program follow:

"America is falling short of our moral obligation to provide our neediest children with access to health care.

"It's time to leave politics at the door, and to allow our shared compassion for America's children to be front and center.

"Access to health care is a basic human right. And there is not one good reason why we, in the United States of America, should keep that right from the most vulnerable citizens of this country.

"We all want what's best for our own children; let's give American families the peace of mind in knowing essential health care is there when their children need it."

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