Congressman Akin to Vote against SCHIP Bill Veto Override

Press Release

Congressman Akin to Vote against SCHIP Bill Veto Override

Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) called the current version of the SCHIP bill, "A piece of badly written legislation that has too many pitfalls," and said he will vote to uphold President Bush's veto of the bill.

Akin voted against the SCHIP bill when it first came to the House floor. The SCHIP bill he voted against used cuts in the Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) to pay for the expansion of SCHIP benefits.

"Instead of offering SCHIP benefits to poor children, this bill provides government health plans to people as old as 21 years of age in families that make up to 300 percent above the poverty level," Akin said. "This includes families making up to $62,000 a year, which could rise to be $80,000 a year in some states."

"This current bill would actually expand a new government entitlement to a class of Americans, many who are already happy with their private health insurance plans," said Akin. "If that happens, many constituents in my district who already have insurance through their employment could eventually be forced to leave those private plans when employers become increasingly reluctant to provide them in lieu of having employees rely on government plans."

The SCHIP bill has also come under fire for not requiring proof of citizenship to obtain health care benefits.

"The fact that the proof of citizenship is not required to obtain SCHIP benefits means millions of illegal immigrants will find ways to obtain these benefits at taxpayer expense," said Akin.

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