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Tell Your Representative To Override Bush's Veto of SCHIP
Both the U.S. House and Senate recently approved a bipartisan bill authorizing a $35 billion expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The program currently provides healthcare for more than 6 million low-income children, and this new authority will provide coverage for an additional 4 million children.
President Bush's October 3 veto of this bill will mean children who now depend on the program may lose their coverage. We should be doing more—not less—to reach the millions of uninsured children in this country. The House will seek to override the veto on October 18th. Send a strong message that no one in the United States should go without healthcare.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Fight for Children, Not Bush
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I urge you to vote in support of overriding President Bush's October 3 veto of the bipartisan SCHIP bill.
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is essential to provide healthcare to millions of uninsured low-income children so that can lead healthy and productive lives.
Six million low-income children receive benefits under the current SCHIP program, but the program still does not provide coverage for millions of additional children who are eligible for SCHIP benefits. In a country as wealthy as the United States, this is unacceptable; we must not turn our backs on these children.
President Bush has recommended a $5 billion increase in this essential program, but this amount would reduce the number of children who currently receive SCHIP benefits. The bipartisan SCHIP bill vetoed by the president goes a long way to provide low-income children with healthcare coverage: It would provide medical care to almost 4 million additional children.
I believe that making this investment in SCHIP is money well spent. With proper healthcare, children are less likely to miss school due to illness, and they are more likely to succeed in school and, ultimately, in the working world.
This compromise bipartisan bill represents a solid first step toward ensuring that all uninsured children receive healthcare. Please vote to override President Bush's veto of the SCHIP bill, and help low-income children.
Please let me know where you stand on this important issue.
Sincerely,
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