Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 7, 2007 |
CONTACT: Rachel Magnuson, 202-225-6111 |
| Schwartz Continues to Lead Fight to Cover All Kids | ||
This morning, Schwartz spoke on the House floor to call on President Bush to end his misguided attacks on the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
“As the architect of one of the first children’s health plans in the country, I have seen first
hand the success of these public-private, federal-state partnerships.
“I am proud of our work here in Congress to make affordable health coverage available
to an additional 5 million American children, while also protecting the health needs of our seniors.
“The Democratic Congress understands the health care challenges facing our nation’s
working families.
“We heard their needs and we responded.
“We passed a plan to expand access to quality, affordable health care for our nation’s
children, while ensuring that our seniors receive the care they have been promised.
“It is unacceptable that 47 million Americans, including almost 9 million children, do
not have access to affordable health coverage.
“It is unacceptable that American seniors are facing limits in access to doctors they trust
and the treatments they need.
“It is unacceptable that President Bush and his allies in Congress are comfortable with
the status quo.
“It is time to act – and Congress has.
“We call on the President to stop working against us as we move to ensure healthcare
for American children.”
Yesterday, Schwartz joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Energy and Commerce Chairman Dingell, Health Subcommittee Chairman Stark, Health Subcommittee Chairman Pallone, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, and children and seniors from around the country to highlight the importance of CHIP. At the press conference, Schwartz stressed her personal commitment to CHIP and of the importance of protecting health coverage for both children and seniors.
Schwartz was joined at the press conference by Philadelphia area families and Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth officials.
"Pennsylvania has made great strides to enroll children in health insurance, but we are not at the finish line yet. In order for us to maintain our success, we must ensure that the S-CHIP program is reauthorized and receives the funds necessary to cover children in our state and throughout the nation. We applaud the efforts of Congressional leaders, including Congresswoman Schwartz, in working towards strengthening this important program,” said Alisa Simon, health policy director of Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth.
####