House votes to expand insurance for kids
The House voted Tuesday, 265-159 to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, by $35 billion over five years. However, the Democratic-led victory may prove short-lived because the margin was too small to override President Bush's promised veto, according to an Associated Press Article.
President Bush vows to veto the bill because of costs, reliance on a tobacco tax increase and potential for replacing private insurance with government grants.
SCHIP is a state-federal program that provides coverage for 6.6 million children from families that live above the poverty level but have trouble affording private health insurance. The proposed expansion, backed by most governors and many health-advocacy groups, would add 4 million children to the rolls.
SCHIP is set to expire Sunday. To avert that, congressional Democrats plan to extend it temporarily with a larger spending bill to keep the government running when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The strategy would prevent Democrats from being blamed or letting the health program lapse by not reaching an accord with Bush, lawmakers said.
What can you do to get involved? Contact your local Legislative Representative regarding this critical issue. Of course there are details that still need to be worked out, however, it would be reprehensible to let these poor children go without healthcare. Join in the fight to provide healthcare for children. Do not let this important issue become a tug of war between the democrats and republicans.
Join Esther Uria LaBovick, Esq. and our firm in letting your Congressional Representative know how important this issue is to our Children in America, by contacting them personally. If you do not know your local Congressional Representative, go to www.Congress.Org, to find your Congressional Representative's contact information. Don't delay, every vote counts for this critical legislation.
