Nebraska Democrats Call on Republicans to Stand Up to Bush’s SCHIP Veto
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2007
Contact: Eric Fought
(402) 434-2184
eric@nebraskademocrats.org
Nebraska Democrats Call on Republicans to Stand Up to Bush’s SCHIP Veto
LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Democratic Party Executive Director Matt Connealy today condemned President Bush’s veto of legislation that would have renewed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) – which currently provides health care coverage to over six million children nationwide – and improve it by expanding coverage for more children in Nebraska. President Bush’s veto, which will prevent 16,400 uninsured children in Nebraska from gaining health care, comes despite overwhelming support of the American people for expanding SCHIP. According to recent polls, 86 percent of the American people support reauthorizing SCHIP, with seven in ten saying they support the Democratic plan to expand SCHIP by $35 billion over five years. [Robert Wood Johnson Foundation release, 8/23/07; Washington Post, 10/2/07]
Not only have a bipartisan group of 43 governors called on President Bush to extend and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, but seven states filed lawsuits against the Bush Administration challenging proposed federal rules that would “force poor children to lose health coverage.” [Associated Press, 10/01/07]
Connealy called on Senator Chuck Hagel and the Republican Presidential candidates to stand up to President Bush and join Democrats in voting to override President Bush’s veto.
“President Bush and the Republicans trying to replace him may think it makes sense to turn their backs on Nebraska’s children, but Hagel has an opportunity to stand with Democrats in standing up for kids in the Cornhusker State,” said Connealy. “Allowing President Bush’s reckless and irresponsible veto to stand means denying thousands of Nebraskan children the opportunity to see a doctor, receive preventative care and live healthier and happier lives.”