Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien Issues Statement on Bush Veto

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien today issued the following statement on President Bush's veto of the SCHP (State Health Insurance Program):

 

"At this holiday time, President Bush has ignored the needs of millions of children and vetoed spending for the Child Health Plan.

 

The Colorado Child Health Plan Plus has been hugely successful in enrolling 10,000 children who, over the last year, otherwise would not have had health insurance or access to health care. In addition, we still have about 50,000 more kids and pregnant moms that remain uncovered.

 

President Bush's veto of the national SCHIP funding undermines those efforts by casting a shadow of uncertainty over the program and putting children's health care at risk.

 

Both Governor Ritter and I believe a budget should reflect our moral values. To that point, we have pledged to invest in children's health and education, and we urge President Bush to fully fund this program."

 

CHP+ is Colorado's low-cost health and dental insurance program for uninsured children ages 18 and under from working families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance. CHP+ also offers benefits to pregnant women through the CHP+ Prenatal Care Program. For more information or to download an application, visit www.CHPplus.org.