Senator Klobuchar Supports Override of Bush Veto of Health Insurance Program for Children

Press Release

Senator Klobuchar Supports Override of Bush Veto of Health Insurance Program for Children

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today condemned President Bush's veto of the Children's Health Insurance Program, and joined a bi-partisan call for Congress to override President Bush's veto. The legislation cleared the Senate last week with enormous bipartisan support, by a vote of 67-29. The bill would provide the necessary resources to provide health insurance for 6 million children of families already in the program, and extend health insurance to millions more.

"Securing health care for our nation's children isn't about politics, it's about bettering the lives of America's future generations," said Klobuchar, noting the bill's bipartisan support. "It's short-sighted to veto a proven, effective program that has helped children in all states -- especially in Minnesota. I hope my colleagues will join me in voting to override the President's veto."

This past year, Minnesota received over $48 million as part of the Children's Health Insurance Program; however some 86,000 children remain uninsured. The bill vetoed by the President could increase enrollment in Minnesota by as many as 35,000 children, by more than doubling funding for the program to $102 million dollars. The President's veto halts additional coverage and leaves the thousands of children currently covered in limbo.

"This is a successful program that deserves to reach even more children, not be rejected by veto," said Klobuchar. "It defies common sense. It costs taxpayers money when children don't have health insurance and use the emergency room as their doctor."

President Bush's FY08 budget proposed a meager increase that would be insufficient to meet the current needs of Minnesota children and families, and would hinder efforts to provide coverage for any additional children.

CHIP, as passed by Congress, currently has the support of a bipartisan Congressional majority, as well as 43 governors and the majority Americans. The bill would provide states with incentives to insure additional children of working families, including new outreach to states, local governments, schools, community-based organizations, safety-net providers and others.

Last month the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the number of uninsured Americans rose by 2 million in the past year, with children making up more than a quarter of the increase. Since its creation in 1997, CHIP has helped reduce the uninsured rate among children of working families by approximately one-third. Approximately 9 million children nationally remain uninsured, and the CHIP reauthorization bill passed by Congress will help address this problem.

Source