Patrick Murphy Blasts Bush S-CHIP Veto

Press Release

Patrick Murphy Blasts Bush S-CHIP Veto

8th District Congressman Condemns Bush for Denying Help for Hard Working Pennsylvania Families Who Just Want to Keep Their Children Healthy

Today, following President Bush's short-sighted veto of the bipartisan Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) released the following statement. The SCHIP bill vetoed by President Bush would have meant an additional 3.8 million children from low income families - including 140,000 here in Pennsylvania - would receive health care. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act has the support of 43 governors and was approved by a vote of 265-159 in the House and 67-29 in the Senate.

"This short-sighted veto breaks President Bush's promise to millions of children and puts their health in jeopardy," said Congressman Patrick Murphy. "This bill was supported by 43 governors and Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate - President Bush's only objection was that it insured too many kids. So much for compassion."

6,700 Bucks County Children Currently Enrolled in SCHIP
162,800 Pennsylvania Children Currently Enrolled in SCHIP

Under this bill

* Nearly 4 Million Additional American Children will Receive Health Care
* 140,000 Additional Pennsylvania Children will Receive Health Care [LINK]

This fiscally responsible legislation maintains current law regarding children's eligibility, but by investing $35 billion into the health and well-being of American children, the bill provides states with the resources necessary to reach millions of eligible children not enrolled in CHIP. The program was created in 1997 to provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance. This bill is not only good for the short-term with its focus on being fiscally responsible, it also looks after our long-term goals by reducing the load on emergency rooms and lowers across the board health care costs.

The bill has garnered a broad range of support from various advocacy organizations and a bipartisan collection of political leaders. CHIP Reauthorization is supported by the American Medical Association, the Healthcare Leadership Council, the American Cancer Society and the Catholic Health Association. It has received broad support from Democrats and Republican leaders including Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Reps Phil English (R-PA) and Charlie Dent (R-PA).

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