Cutting Healthcare for Needy Kids: How Low Can You Go?

In case you haven’t heard, President Bush vetoed a bill today that would provide $35 billion for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). That means millions of kids could lose their healthcare coverage starting next month. And millions more (including kids with uninsured working parents) won’t get any to begin with.

Meanwhile, the president wants billions of dollars to continue his war in Iraq for God knows how long, to God knows what end. But he simply can’t divert taxpayer dollars to help kids stay healthy or get well.

Obviously, somebody needs to do something. So MoveOn.org is organizing a nationwide effort to get Congress to veto the veto. Show your outrage at one of hundreds of rallies planned across the country. Maybe it will convince Congress to override Bush’s veto and get this important bill passed.

Need more convincing? Check out these facts courtesy of MomsRising:

  • 12% of American children don’t have any insurance coverage at all.
  • The U.S. ranks 37th in the world for infant mortality.
  • One in five U.S. jobs does not provide health insurance, a pension, or wages high enough to support a family.
  • For a family of 4, one year of health insurance costs an average of $11,000.
  • More than half of all bankruptcy filings in 2001 were a result of medical expenses.

Please find a rally near you to voice your support for the SCHIP bill.

7 thoughts on “Cutting Healthcare for Needy Kids: How Low Can You Go?

  1. Well said! Can you believe this guy? I’m embarrased for the American people that we voted this moron in for a second term to reap havock! Ugh!

  2. Ah, yes. How very pro-life, pro-child and pro-family. Thanks, W!

  3. Selfmademom says:

    Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse or more insane and it does.

  4. This is completely ridiculous. After all billions of dollars for the war that have gone completely unaccounted for, he can’t fund healthcare for children out of his interest in ‘fiscal responsibility’. what a bunch of garbage. This is morally reprehensible. I am sick to think of all the children that will be affected by this.

  5. He is so out of touch with reality.

    And apparently, he made another good quote yesterday: “My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions,” Mr. Bush said.

  6. I know it sounds terrible to veto a bill that is supposed to expand healthcare to more unisured children but the reality of the bill is that is covers a TON of adults and many children in families who currently have insurance. The problem with this bill is that it is another step closer to Federalized Healthcare (such as in Canada – where they have to come to the USA to get advanced medical care) as an uninsured adult I would love to be covered, but not at the expense of the entire healthcare system. Do your research.

  7. Faith, I’m actually in favor of the government helping not only needy kids of the working (or not) poor, but also their parents. In my opinion, the U.S. can well afford to help pay for health care for those who can’t afford it themselves. Canada’s system may not be perfect, and I’m not saying we should do things just like they do. But it sure beats what we’ve got now–at least, for the folks who can’t afford skyrocketing premiums, copays, and other healthcare costs.

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