SEIU TO BUSH: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Even Covered Kids in Danger of Losing Care

Washington, DC - Leaders of the largest healthcare union in the nation today praised the steadfast commitment of Senate leadership in their passage of SCHIP legislation that will provide health coverage for nearly 10 million uninsured children, and raised their voices against any further delay by President Bush in the face of a second promised veto.

Anna Burger, Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), said it was time for President Bush to end his fight to block healthcare for kids. "How many times does Congress need to pass this bill before the President gets the message that kids need healthcare?"  Burger said.  "Enough is enough, Mr. President.  End the political shenanigans and sign this bill."
 
SEIU Healthcare Chair Dennis Rivera said that the President's pending second veto will not only deny coverage to kids whose parents can't afford the cost of health insurance, but will endanger coverage for those children who are presently receive care under SCHIP.  According to a recent report by Families USA, more than 600,000 kids are in danger of losing SCHIP coverage by the end of this year.

"While the President continues to live in a state of denial about the cost of healthcare coverage in this country, there are sick children in every state who will have their treatment stopped, interrupted or denied. Clearly, this President does not care about these kids."

ADDITIONAL MEDIA CONTACT:  Meghan Finegan, (617) 283-8597
meghan.finegan@1199.org