Congressman Burgess Votes Against SCHIP Veto Override, Says Congress Needs To Produce A Bill That Would "cover Poor Children First"

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 19 Oct 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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The United States House of Representatives voted against overriding President Bush's October 3, 2007 veto of H.R. 976, the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, (R-Flower Mound), along with 155 of his colleagues, voted against the veto override.

"I favor the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program," said Congressman Burgess. "I want to see that program reauthorized, but I want to see it done sensibly. It is critical to focus on the most important recipients - poor kids first."

Under H.R. 976, eligibility for government-funded health care would be expanded to populations other than just poor children, including children currently covered with private health insurance, adults, and those in the country illegally. Congressman Burgess believes SCHIP eligibility should not be extended to these populations because it is robbing poor children of the health care coverage they deserve.

"I do not believe that the bill Congress sent to President Bush is the right bill for America's children, which is why I originally voted against it and why I voted against the veto override today. It is now time to put partisan politics aside and go to work to establish a sound health insurance program for low-income children."

A Gallup poll in the October 15, 2007 edition of USA Today showed that Americans in fact agree with Congressman Burgess and President Bush that poor children should be covered first.

"A poll out just this week from USA Today shows a majority, over 50 percent of the people in this country, agree that poor children should be covered first," said Congressman Burgess. "It's a fairly simple concept. And guess what? The American people get it. That's what they want to see us do, cover poor children first."

With the SCHIP reauthorization extension set to expire on November 16, 2007, Congress must now work to produce a bill that reauthorizes SCHIP before adjournment of the 110th Congress. Otherwise, millions of children whose parents cannot afford private health insurance will be at risk of losing their health coverage under SCHIP.

"We can't cover those other populations at the expense of the people that we are required to take care of - children. Finding more of the truly eligible children is hard work, it is hard work but it is the right thing to do. Hard work first, it is the right thing to do."

Tuesday night Congressman Burgess delivered a 50-minute speech outlining the problems with the current SCHIP bill and suggesting ways that Congress could work together to construct a bill that puts poor children first. To view a complete transcript of this speech and to watch the video of the House floor, please visit Congressman Burgess' website.

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