House Falls Short of Votes To Override Bush Veto of Children's Health Bill

Despite strong bipartisan support, the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 18 was unable to muster the necessary votes to override President Bush's Oct. 3 veto of a compromise SCHIP bill that would have extended health insurance to millions of low-income children. In the 273-156 vote, 44 Republicans and all but two Democrats voted for the override. (See how your representative voted.)

"President Bush should be ashamed that he worked so hard to corral just enough Republican support to block this critical and bipartisan children's health program," said AFT president Edward J. McElroy. "Working-class families rely on this program, and they were counting on its extension. This is a big setback for children, who need high-quality healthcare to grow up healthy and succeed in school."

The bill to renew and extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) passed easily in the House (265-159) and Senate (67-29) last month. The bill would have expanded the $5 billion-a-year program by an average of $7 billion a year over the next five years, boosting enrollment from 6.6 million children to more than 10 million.  SCHIP helps children whose families don't qualify for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. The bill had widespread support, including among healthcare industry groups and insurance associations.

"Opposition to expansion of SCHIP defies reason," added McElroy. "This is a successful, popular and fiscally responsible program that gives low-income children access to healthcare. Children with quality healthcare are less likely to miss school, can concentrate better in class and do better academically. But this fight is far from over. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that children get the healthcare they need, and voters should hold accountable those who block that goal."

October 19, 2007