ALEXANDRIA, VA – First Focus, in conjunction with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has released a letter urging President Bush to reconsider his threats to veto the renewal of the highly successful State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The letter is signed by more than 300 national, state, and local organizations throughout the country, including groups representing children, seniors, mayors, and unions.
“We know you agree that our children are our nation’s most precious resource and that investments in health care for kids reap benefits that last a lifetime. We urge you to stand with our children and to put their interests ahead of the partisan rhetoric that is threatening a timely SCHIP reauthorization. We welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues with you and to work with you on this and other initiatives to be sure that all of our nation’s children have access to the health care services and coverage they need,” the letter reads.
“The immense outpouring of support by this diverse cross-section of organizations indicates the widespread success and popularity of the SCHIP program at the local, state, and national level,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus. “Clearly, it is time for President Bush to put political ideology aside and work with Congress to renew this highly successful program which provides critical healthcare to those who need it most.”
“As the health care homes for nearly 6.5 million children today, 1.5 million of whom are uninsured, Community Health Centers are acutely aware of the importance and value of insuring our nation’s most valuable resource — our children,” said Craig Kennedy, Associate Vice President for Federal Affairs at NACHC. “The State Children’s Health Insurance Program has produced genuine benefits for the nation in health and prevention. We need this legislation enacted to ensure that all of our children have the health care coverage they need to grow, to develop and learn, and to become healthy and productive citizens.”
The letter has been signed by over 300 organizations including AARP, the American Cancer Society, Catholic Charities USA, Child Welfare League of America, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Easter Seals, March of Dimes, National Association of Children’s Hospitals, National Council of La Raza, National Education Association, Service Employees International Union, The United States Conference of Mayors, Voices for America’s Children, United Way of America, and the YMCA of the USA.