First Focus Praises Senate for No Vote on State Children’s Health Insurance Program Amendment
Alexandria, VA – Today, Senator Cornyn’s amendment to the 2008 congressional budget resolution that would undermine the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) failed on the Senate floor.
“This amendment wasn’t just about subtracting numbers from a budget. It would have denied basic health care to kids in working families or plunge their parents into debt to cover emergency medical expenses,” said First Focus president Bruce Lesley. “We applaud the Senate for voting down this dangerous amendment and for taking an important stand to protect health coverage for children.”
By restricting eligibility for SCHIP, the Cornyn amendment would strike the clear commitment the federal government has to ensure states have sufficient funding to maintain current SCHIP programs and to cover more uninsured children.
First Focus brought Democratic and Republican congressional coalitions together to support $60 billion in over five years in the 2008 congressional budget to extend and expand SCHIP. A bipartisan group of 76 legislators from the moderate Blue Dog Democrat and Main Street Republican coalitions signed the budget letter organized by First Focus.
“Republicans and Democrats support the State Children’s Health Insurance Program because it works for kids, parents and taxpayers. The Senate was right to reject this amendment and can now get on with the business of strengthening coverage for kids,” said Lesley.