Statement by Edward J. McElroy
President, American Federation of Teachers,
on House and Senate Approval of Children's Healthcare Bill

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a federal and state partnership that provides health insurance to children whose parents work but can't get or afford health insurance and are not on Medicaid. The program has not been fully funded; more than 6 million eligible children are not receiving healthcare coverage.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Children have won a crucial victory today, with the Senate joining the House in expanding the federal health insurance program that covers children of the working poor. With proper healthcare through the SCHIP program, the time disadvantaged children are absent from school due to illness can be drastically minimized, increasing their chances of future success. The bipartisan support to expand the program by $50 billion in the House and $35 billion in the Senate stands in stark contrast to President Bush’s recommendation of a meager $5 billion, which actually would reduce the number of children covered by the program. Once the House and Senate versions are reconciled, it is our hope that the White House will consider the millions of children who would be deprived of access to healthcare if the president vetoes it.

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