Aurora, CO - Local community leaders responded today to President Bush's imminent veto of the SCHIP reauthorization bill for children's health at a press conference hosted by Colorado Progressive Coalition in front of St. Therese Catholic Church in Aurora. The speakers came together on the day of SCHIP's expiration to show their continuing support for affordable health coverage for millions of low-income kids. The event featured prominent community, elected and faith leaders calling on President Bush to sign the SCHIP reauthorization bill for the sake of Colorado children and working families.
With the President's looming veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP) reauthorization, the health of nearly one hundred thousand children in Colorado is at-risk. If President Bush vetoes the bill, nearly 10 million children nationwide will be without healthcare--including over 96,000 in Colorado.
"I cannot think of a more socially or morally irresponsible action than to veto the reauthorization of healthcare for poor children under SCHIP. Bush ought to be ashamed of himself," commented State Representative Morgan Carroll, Aurora, in a written statement. "At a time when we should be striving to provide healthcare coverage for all children in the United States, this administration is gambling with a veto that will reduce healthcare for our kids and increase the number of uninsured children in the U.S."
Without additional funding of SCHIP, there is no way to ensure that low-income kids in Colorado get the coverage they need for immunizations, regular check-ups and dental care. State Senator Bob Hagedorn, Aurora, urged Congress and President Bush to support SCHIP instead of continuing to put funds into misplaced priorities.
"It is imperative that members of the community organize and speak out against President Bush?s impending veto of this very important health bill," said Francoise Mbabazi, Healthcare Director at the Colorado Progressive Coalition. "SCHIP represents one-quarter of one percent of the federal budget, yet it serves millions of children. It is unconscionable that Bush prioritizes billions of dollars for an endless war over a small amount of money for the well being and safety of our children," Mbabazi stated.
"Healthcare for kids must be a national priority, not a partisan issue," said Adela Flores-Brennan, Federal Budget Advocate for the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute. "The agreement reached in Congress falls short on some key issues, but it will help reduce the number of 180,000 uninsured children in Colorado as a means to move forward to reform and strengthen the healthcare system in our state."
Faith leaders are speaking out in strong support of maintaining and expanding SCHIP, including Richard McLean, a Catholic church parishioner at St. Therese where the event was held. "Healthcare is the number one concern in the St. Therese parish according to a survey of parishioners conducted last spring. A major reason for their concern is access to health insurance since many employers often fail to provide healthcare insurance for their employees. It is no wonder healthcare is such a great concern for so many working families, especially those with children."
After reading letters from families who depend on SCHIP, McLean called on "our representatives and our President to put themselves in the shoes of these working families. We ask them not to reject a program that puts children from low-income families on a level playing field with other children when it comes to sickness."
If enacted, the final SCHIP bill will expand healthcare coverage to an additional 3.4 million children across the country, including 40,000 kids in need in Colorado who are currently uninsured. Colorado will receive $13 million to cover all the children who are eligible but not enrolled in Colorado's SCHIP program.
Colorado Progressive Coalition is a nonpartisan grassroots organization with over 5,500 members across Colorado and is nationally known for its work to advance civil rights, economic justice, health care access, and a democracy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy or the well-connected.
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