October 10, 2007
Stabenow, legislative leaders, providers and advocates urge override of president's veto of SCHIP bill
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, state legislative leaders, health care providers and advocates in urging the Michigan congressional delegation to be united in its support of Michigan's children by voting to override the president's veto of the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2007.
Granholm said a united, bipartisan Michigan congressional delegation could help ensure that the president's veto will be rejected and that more children are given important access to health care under the program.
"This legislation represents a promise to every Michigan child who needs a vaccination, insulin, and other medical services," Granholm said. "It will ensure that more of our state's neediest kids can be seen by a doctor and have access to medications and medical care. Every member of Congress, especially those from Michigan, should do the right thing and support Michigan's children by voting to override the president's veto."
Last week, President Bush vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have protected the 55,000 Michigan children who are currently supported by this program every month. The vetoed bill would provide the state with a 44 percent increase in funds, allowing Michigan to cover as many as 80,900 additional children under the program.
At a roundtable discussion at the Ingham County Health Department, Granholm and Stabenow discussed the importance of the SCHIP program to Michigan's children. While expressing disappointment over the president's veto, Granholm applauded members of the congressional delegation who voted for the legislation, including the following Republican members: U.S. Representatives Fred Upton, Vernon Ehlers, and Candice S. Miller.
Granholm also recognized U.S. Representative John Dingell and Senator Stabenow who played key roles in developing this legislation.
The SCHIP reauthorization bill would provide Michigan with new resources and tools to provide coverage to thousands of uninsured Michigan children. Michigan children who do not currently have insurance are eligible for Michigan's SCHIP program - commonly known as MIChild - if their families make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, which is about $41,000 for a family of four. This program has been very successful and is one reason Michigan has one of the lowest uninsured rates for children in the country.
Without MIChild, 55,000 children in Michigan would have no way to pay for any type of medical service, including outpatient services, emergency room visits, preventative checkups, health screenings, some immunizations, and primary care visits, to name just a few.
Granholm is encouraging citizens to contact their congressional representative and voice support for SCHIP reauthorization before Thursday, October 18 - the day Congress is expected to vote on the veto override.
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