After Narrow Defeat of Veto Override, Children’s Health Fight Will Continue

Today, the House of Representatives failed to override President Bush’s veto of the children’s health bill (CHIP legislation). The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, about this development:

“Today’s vote means that the fight to provide health coverage for 10 million children in low-wage working families will continue, and, indeed, it will intensify.

“The vetoed bill, product of a bipartisan compromise, has support that is both broad and deep. People across the nation—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike—overwhelmingly  support this bill. Health care organizations, doctors, nurses, and advocacy groups, including many that are traditionally on different sides of the health care debate, also support this bill and want it enacted into law.

“Every question has been answered, every myth has been debunked, and yet, shamelessly, a small number of members of Congress were willing to stand between 10 million kids and the health care they need.

“As we move closer to the November 2008 elections, and as this bill is brought up for a vote again and again, we are confident that the will of the majority will prevail, and, in the end, children will receive the health care they need.

“This is a fight that America’s children will ultimately win.”

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org