Fallin Issues New SCHIP Statement
The House passed a revamped version of legislation that would increase the State Children’s Health Care Program (SCHIP), but the bipartisan majority supporting the measure failed to attract enough support to override a certain presidential veto. Before the vote was taken, Congresswoman Mary Fallin, R-5th District, said today she supports the federal health plan for children "as it was originally intended," but made it clear she wants a new plan to "focus on children in low income families." Her statement came as the House was preparing to take up a new SCHIP proposal orchestrated by House Democrats.
Fallin said, “I support SCHIP as it was originally intended, as a government funded healthcare program for low income children. I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t agree with the basic premise that poor children should have access to quality medical care.
“In a letter that I and other freshmen members sent to Speaker Pelosi, we made it clear that we are interested in pursuing a bipartisan SCHIP compromise. Republicans and Democrats agree that poor children need government funded health insurance. The conflict now is whether or not the federal government should expand the program to cover middle class children, millions of adults, and even some illegal aliens, when so many poor children continue to go without healthcare.
“Our letter, among other things, asks the Speaker to focus on children in low income families. In Oklahoma, there are 77,000 poor children without health insurance. Any bipartisan compromise should be built around legislation that puts children like these first.
“Unfortunately, the latest SCHIP proposal continues to fall short of that goal. By undermining policies designed to place poor children first, it sends the wrong message to the nation’s most needy children, especially when it continues to fund children in families making over $60,000 a year, adults, and some illegal immigrants.
“At the end of the day, it is my hope that members of both parties will work out a compromise that is both compassionate and responsible, one that focuses first and foremost on children in low income families.”
Fallin said, “I support SCHIP as it was originally intended, as a government funded healthcare program for low income children. I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t agree with the basic premise that poor children should have access to quality medical care.
“In a letter that I and other freshmen members sent to Speaker Pelosi, we made it clear that we are interested in pursuing a bipartisan SCHIP compromise. Republicans and Democrats agree that poor children need government funded health insurance. The conflict now is whether or not the federal government should expand the program to cover middle class children, millions of adults, and even some illegal aliens, when so many poor children continue to go without healthcare.
“Our letter, among other things, asks the Speaker to focus on children in low income families. In Oklahoma, there are 77,000 poor children without health insurance. Any bipartisan compromise should be built around legislation that puts children like these first.
“Unfortunately, the latest SCHIP proposal continues to fall short of that goal. By undermining policies designed to place poor children first, it sends the wrong message to the nation’s most needy children, especially when it continues to fund children in families making over $60,000 a year, adults, and some illegal immigrants.
“At the end of the day, it is my hope that members of both parties will work out a compromise that is both compassionate and responsible, one that focuses first and foremost on children in low income families.”
Labels: Mary Fallin, SCHIP
posted by Mike McCarville @ 3:02 PM
<< Home