Cheers for Congress on children's health care votes

In session
August 2007

Cheers for Congress on children's health care votes
Catholic Charities USA issued a statement of support Congress in its recent efforts to shore up the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate this week approved separate bills that "would significantly improve" SCHIP. The House and Senate will next need to reach agreement on a compromise version of the legislation, which would go to the president, who has indicated his relucatance to support a revitalized SCHIP.

Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, said, "Catholic Charities USA is pleased to see strong support in the House and the Senate for providing critically needed health coverage to more children from low-income families. We applaud the Democrats, Republicans and Independents in Congress who have come together to support and strengthen this program, providing more money for SCHIP, and expanding eligibility to several million more of the 9 million children living without health insurance in this country.

"SCHIP has a proven record of success in making a difference in the lives of children in need of affordable health care," Snyder said. "The White House's threat to veto legislation that strengthens this much-needed program is the wrong approach to ensuring all children especially those that are poor have adequate and essential health care that promotes their physical and mental development and well-being.

"Improving and strengthening our nation's health care safety net, especially for children, is essential in achieving Catholic Charities USA's campaign goal to reduce poverty in America," said Snyder. "Adequate health care is a basic human right. . The absence of adequate health care in our nation affects all of us not just those who are without this benefit.

"We urge Congress to work hard to find common ground between the House and Senate versions of this legislation when it returns from the August recess and to pass a compromise bill that significantly strengthens and improves CHIP. The bipartisan support for this critically important program and for helping several million more children should signal to the White House that the health of America's children is worth protecting."

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