Statement from Dennis Rivera, Chair of SEIU Healthcare Regarding Bush's Veto of Children's Healthcare

Dennis Rivera, Chair of SEIU Healthcare, the nation's largest union of health care workers, today issued the following statement regarding President Bush's veto of the bipartisan SCHIP legislation:
 
"President Bush's veto today of SCHIP is an irresponsible act that endangers millions of children throughout our country.  This is one of the most successful and effective services our government delivers-it's essential to our children, to millions of hardworking parents, and to the backbone of our healthcare system.

"SCHIP is also essential to hospitals and healthcare centers throughout our country.  This veto says to healthcare providers everywhere that 'you're on your own' in terms of covering the cost of caring for kids.  President Bush can claim this veto is about fiscal responsibility, but what he's really doing is passing on the cost of caring for uninsured children to low-income families and to healthcare providers.  That's not preserving the mission or goal of the SCHIP program, that's passing the buck.

"For parents who simply cannot afford the cost of private health insurance for their children, SCHIP ensures access to comprehensive, preventive care.  Far too many parents make impossible decisions about whether or not their child is "sick enough"to go to an emergency room because they also know that their rent is due, or that they need to buy groceries.

"Every day we wait for full funding of SCHIP, the costs for everyone go up-the cost in terms of care delivered in emergency rooms and not in doctor's offices, the cost of small illnesses that escalate to acute illness, and the immeasurable cost of children who are not receiving the healthcare they need today and are suffering.

"Congress can turn this around by standing up for our kids and our healthcare system.  They have the support of millions of Americans and millions of hardworking families who are depending on them to deliver healthcare for our children."