(Washington, DC) - U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.) today blasted President Bush for vetoing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), legislation that would have provided critical health coverage for 10 million children. Ackerman issued the following statement after the President’s veto.

“Last week, I urged President Bush to reconsider his misguided threat to veto SCHIP. But unfortunately, the President today vetoed this vital measure.

The President’s veto is a disgrace and he should be ashamed of himself. 

With a stroke of his veto pen, the President has denied millions of American children the health care they need and deserve. It is inconceivable that President Bush won’t help our nation’s sick children, and doesn’t care to protect our kids from future medical problems. I cannot comprehend how he does not understand that investing in our children’s health is critical and not something our country can afford to skimp on.

Although I am outraged by the President Bush’s veto, I am not totally surprised. Once again, President Bush has proven that he is way out of touch with the majority of Americans. From vetoing health care for millions of children to opposing funding for stem-cell research to refusing to change the course of the war in Iraq, the President continues to defy the will of the American people.

Today, President Bush played politics with the health and well-being of our nation’s children. But despite the President’s short-sighted veto, the Democratic-led Congress will continue to fight to make this important legislation become a reality. Today’s veto will not be the last word on the subject.”

The reauthorization of SCHIP invested $35 billion over five years for children’s health care. It protected coverage for the six million children who currently participate in the program, including nearly 619,000 in New York. It also extended health care to four million additional low-income children who presently do not have health insurance, including tens of thousands of New York kids. 

###

Return to Gary's Homepage