Statement by Edward J. McElroy, President, American Federation of Teachers,
On Yesterday’s House Vote To Expand SCHIP

Note: The U.S. House of Representatives voted 265-159 last night to renew and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides health insurance coverage for low-income children ineligible for Medicaid and whose families cannot afford private insurance. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on SCHIP later this week.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Healthy children are better learners. Children with access to good healthcare are less likely to miss school, can better concentrate in class and do better academically.

Yesterday's bipartisan vote in the House to extend and expand SCHIP is an important victory for millions of low-income children. The House bill would help states cover an estimated 4 million additional low-income children, moving us closer to the goal of reliable, high-quality healthcare for all children who need insurance but can't afford it.

We encourage the Senate to follow the laudable lead of the House in passing SCHIP. President Bush’s threatened veto puts ideology ahead of commonsense policy and contradicts his claim to “leave no child behind.”

If President Bush follows through on his veto threat, members of the House who voted yesterday against SCHIP will have another chance to do the right thing when it comes time to override the president's veto. We urge them to join their colleagues in the majority and support children's health.

In 2008, American families will remember who stood with children—and who did not.

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