Washington, D.C.- "With the economy in crisis and the cost of health insurance skyrocketing, too many of America's families have been forced to decide between taking their child to the doctor and paying their monthly bills. Today, President Obama made clear hardworking families should not have to make that choice," said SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger, as the President signed a bipartisan bill to strengthen the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

"With an additional four million children now receiving the healthcare they need, today marks day one of fixing America's broken healthcare system. Day one of bringing together - Republicans, Democrats, business, and families - to say the time is now, we must ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable health insurance.

"Providing healthcare to millions of more children, ensuring women can receive equal pay with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and the creation of the Middle Class Working Families Task Force led by Vice President Joe Biden show that the Obama Administration understands the importance of working families to getting our economy back on track."

SEIU, the nation's largest union of health care workers, is helping its 2 million members and community leaders contact their members of Congress. In addition to comprehensive health care reform, members are continuing to talk to their elected officials about the need to pass a large economic recovery package that invests in state and local government to preserve essential services and invests in infrastructure and human services to save and create jobs.

With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

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