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WALZ WILL VOTE AGAIN TO PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR AMERICA’S CHILDREN
For Immediate Release
January 23, 2008
Contact: Meredith Salsbery
507-388-2149
WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congressman Tim Walz will vote for the second time to override President Bush’s veto of a bill that would expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a federal program that provides low-income children with access to health insurance. Walz, who has fought tirelessly to expand the program, said the veto override is a necessity during this economic downturn.
“I’m committed to change not just how Washington works, also who it works for. The days when Congress would do the bidding of the big HMOs is over – this bill is for the littlest Americans who need our help,” said Walz. “Overriding this veto will ensure that 6 million kids stay on SCHIP and continue to get the preventative health care they need. It will also provide coverage to an additional 4 million kids so that they too can grow up healthy and strong.”
Analysts estimate that when the unemployment rate rises by one percentage point, the number of uninsured increases by 1.2 million to 1.5 million people. The Census Bureau estimates that 104,000 Minnesota kids are currently uninsured. This is an increase of 31,000 since 2005. The number is expected to increase rapidly as families struggle during the economic downturn.
“On Tuesday I celebrated Minnesota’s sesquicentennial with sixth graders at Owatonna’s public elementary school. These kids—and generations of kids to come—will take care of Minnesota through the next 150 years, but they need us to take care of them today,” said Walz. “Overriding the President’s veto on SCHIP is critical for Minnesota kids and families.”
On October 3, 2007, President Bush vetoed the first bipartisan SCHIP bill (H.R. 976).
On Wednesday, January 23, the House will vote on overriding the President’s veto of the revised bipartisan SCHIP bill (H.R. 3963). H.R. 3963 was revised to meet several concerns raised by the President in his veto of the first bill – such as ensuring that lower-income children are enrolled first and restating the prohibition in current law that bars illegal immigrants from receiving federal benefits.
H.R. 3963 passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 265 to 142, with 43 Republicans voting for it. It passed the Senate by a veto-proof margin of 64 to 30, with 17 Republicans voting for it. Despite the strong bipartisan support for this bill, President Bush vetoed this compromise, denying health care to millions of children.
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