AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on Bush Veto of SCHIP

by: Clem Guttata

Fri Oct 05, 2007 at 05:30:15 AM EDT

Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on Bush Veto of Children's Health Insurance

The President's decision to veto legislation that would provide health care to millions of children is nothing short of disgraceful. With the sweep of a pen, he has slammed the door on these children's best opportunity to grow up healthy and to reach their fullest potential. The veto also shattered the peace of mind of countless families who may now lose their coverage under the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

As if to add insult to injury, the president vetoed health insurance for children in the same week as he proclaimed an official "Child Health Day," which the Administration described in a press release as a time to "reaffirm our commitment to helping children develop good nutrition habits and active lifestyles, so that they can grow into healthy and productive adults."

Health insurance for children is not a political issue that can be brushed aside by proclamation. This is about helping children, period.  A bipartisan majority in Congress recognize that in America, no child should go without health care. Most responsible leaders also know that if nothing is done, the situation is only going to get worse. The cost of health care is soaring out of control and wages for America's workers can't keep up.

Our children need a lot more than rhetoric to grow into healthy and productive adults. If President Bush really wants to show commitment to children's health, he should give them annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular contact with a pediatrician who knows and cares about them - he shouldn't just give them a press release.

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