(OVERLAND PARK) – During a press conference on Friday, Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District -- Kansas) praised the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and urged his colleagues in Congress to support SCHIP by voting to override President Bush’s veto of H.R. 976, legislation reauthorizing the important program.

Created in 1997, SCHIP provides health care coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance, and currently has approximately 6 million children enrolled nationwide. H.R. 976 would provide $35 billion in new funding and other resources to states to enroll the other 4 million children who are currently eligible but are not enrolled.

“Over the last ten years, the children’s health program has proven to be a popular, successful program – with 6 million children now enrolled,” Moore said. “Unfortunately, far too many of our children – the ones who need our help the most – are not making it into the system to get the assistance they need. This bill is simply designed to give states resources and incentives to enroll children who are already eligible but not signed up for SCHIP and Medicaid.”

Moore was joined at the event by several representatives from the health care field, including Dr. Pam Shaw, President of the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“The Academy is dedicated to the health and welfare of children and without good health, we know that children cannot succeed in school or life,” said Dr. Shaw. “This bill does not cover children who have private insurance, but covers those who don't and can't afford it.”

The SCHIP reauthorization bill has garnered widespread and bipartisan support. Those standing in strong support of the bill:

• 68 Senators, including 18 Republicans, like Sen. Bond (MO) and Sen. Roberts (KS).
360 Representatives, including 141 Republicans, like Rep. Moran (KS-01) and Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08)
43 Governors, including 16 Republicans
• More than 270 organizations around the country, representing millions of Americans

“I hope that members on both sides of the aisle will come together to support this important program,” Moore said.

On October 3, 2007, President Bush vetoed the bipartisan compromise legislation reauthorizing the SCHIP program. The House is expected to vote next week on overriding that veto.