Congressman Chris Van Hollen today released the following statement.
“I am deeply disappointed that the President has vetoed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 and decided to deny health insurance to millions of America’s children. Not so long ago the President pledged to expand coverage of CHIP to include eligible children who are not yet enrolled in the program. And now he has reversed course. Congress will continue its efforts to increase health insurance coverage to millions of low-income children.
“The CHIP Reauthorization Act would reauthorize and improve the very successful Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for five years. This bipartisan bill would preserve coverage for the 6 million children currently enrolled who otherwise would have no access to health insurance while extending coverage to 3.8 million children who are not enrolled in the program. By reauthorizing this very important program, we will strengthen CHIP’s financing, improve the quality of health care children receive, and increase health insurance coverage for low-income children.
“With today’s veto, President Bush has turned his back on America’s children and he stands alone. In the coming days, I will work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to override this unjustified and calloused veto.”