Marc J. Yacht MD, MPH

Hudson, Florida 34667

Press Release

Child health care advocates cry out for children’s health insurance

Brooksville 10/04/07

Despite a drenching rain, private citizens, members of the Florida Peace action network, and the Hernando Green Party delivered a strong message to the Brooksville office of Ginny Brown-Waite. Vote yes to override Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Heath Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill. The bill could expand health care coverage to 10 million children.

The group then took to the Court House streets raising their placards supporting the expansion of (SCHIP). Advocating healthcare not warfare, advocates also handed leaflets to passing motorists and pedestrians.

Currently, about 6.4 million are covered nationally by the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). In spite of the programs success, it is estimated that an additional 9 million children have no health coverage during the course of the year. The expansion of SCHIP could provide health coverage for an additional 4 million children.

Although the bill had bipartisan support it is suggested that there are not enough votes to override the president’s veto. Democrats have vowed a veto showdown October 18 and hope to seek enough republican support to override the veto.

President Bush nixed the popular children’s health bill with his approval rating at an all time low. A veto override would be a personal embarrassment for the lame duck president having 15 months left in office.