Three leading associations of healthcare professionals have released urgent statements regarding the status of the SCHIP program.

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Statement on Presidential Veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program Bill
Rich Umbdenstock
President and CEO
American Hospital Association

For the past decade, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) has helped many of our nation's children get a healthy start in life. Regular check-ups and access to care have put our nation's children on a healthier and more productive path. That's why America's hospitals are deeply disappointed that the President today vetoed legislation to extend this important program.

The women and men in hospitals across the country tell us about the importance of this program for the children in their communities. They know first-hand what happens when children do not have health insurance - they come to the emergency department with conditions that could have been avoided. It's a fact that children who have access to regular health care are healthier and do better in school than those who don't. We can and must do better to help our nation's children.

Hospitals fully support renewing and expanding SCHIP to give even more kids the opportunity for a healthy beginning in life. We've called on hospital leaders to urge their lawmakers to override President Bush's veto to provide children health care they need and deserve.
About AHA

The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to health improvement in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include almost 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, and other providers of care. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the Web site at www.aha.org.


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Statement attributable to:
Edward Langston, MD
AMA Board Chair

"The American Medical Association is deeply disappointed in the president's veto of bipartisan legislation to protect the health of America's low-income children. The program is vital to protect low-income children whose parents work hard, but aren't able to afford health insurance.

"For children to get a good start in life, they need access to the medical care that this program makes possible. CHIP is an excellent example of a public-private partnership with a full 77 percent of kids in the program getting their coverage through private health plans.

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