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Citing concern over the health and well-being of Franklin County’s families, Commissioners today encouraged the United States House of Representatives to override the President’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance program.
“The resolution adopted by Commissioners this morning sends a strong message to our representatives in Congress that health insurance for children must be a priority,” said Commission President Marilyn Brown.
On December 12, 2007, the President denied health care to children of hardworking families across America at a time when families are increasingly struggling with the costs of heat, food, gas and health care. This morning, Commissioners asked the House to override the President's veto of the revised bipartisan SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) bill (H.R. 3963) during their vote tomorrow.
Sadly, only 1 in 9 children in the United States have healthcare, Brown noted.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, overriding this veto will provide health care coverage for 10 million children; preserving coverage for all 6.6 million children currently covered by SCHIP and extending coverage to 3.8 million children who are currently uninsured.
“In Ohio over 216,000 children are not covered by health care. This can have a devastating effect for a child with a chronic health need like asthma, juvenile diabetes, or sickle cell anemia. We ask our representatives to do what is right for America’s children and override the President’s veto.”
Commissioner Paula Brooks stated, “On behalf of the thousands of central Ohio families and single parents without health insurance, we are once again requesting that our elected representatives do the right thing to ensure that our children and families have the resources necessary to lead healthy and happy lives.”
The resolution passed unanimously.
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