AARP, representing more than 39 million Americans 50-plus, and the American Medical Association (AMA), the nation's largest physician group, together strongly urged every member of the House of Representatives to override President Bush's veto of CHIP, a bipartisan bill that would ensure that nearly 10 million children get the health care they need.

Claiming that, "our nation has a duty to give all children the best possible start in life," AARP and AMA are working together to strengthen the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The bill passed both the House and the Senate by wide, bipartisan majorities - one of the few pieces of legislation to do so in Washington's partisan atmosphere. And AARP and the AMA are hopeful members of Congress can come together to override the President's veto. In their letter they state, "When 47 million Americans are already uninsured, this is not the time to jeopardize the coverage of our children. We therefore urge you to vote to override the veto and enact this vital health care legislation."
The full text of the letter follows:

October 10, 2007

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the American Medical Association and AARP, we strongly urge you to vote to override the President's veto of the bipartisan Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act.

The veto of this legislation puts millions of children at risk of losing health insurance coverage. The legislation sent to the President would strengthen the successful CHIP program and ensure that nearly 10 million children get the health care they need. We should ensure that as many children as possible have access to proper health care. Our nation has a duty to give all children the best possible start in life.

CHIP is a public-private partnership in which 77% of kids get coverage through private insurers. It has the overwhelming support of the nation's governors, as well as America's Health Insurance Plans, which represents private insurers. In fact, the carefully crafted bipartisan compromise bill can even strengthen private sector insurance because it allows states to use CHIP funds to help families purchase qualified employer-based coverage.

And, contrary to much misinformation, the bill focuses the program on serving low-income kids who are U.S. citizens. The legislation does not increase income eligibility limits, nor does it provide for coverage of illegal immigrants.

This is not a debate about government versus private insurance - both will be part of any real solution to our nation's growing health care crisis. It is about ensuring that we do right by our children so that they can grow into healthy, productive adults.

When 47 million Americans are already uninsured, this is not the time to jeopardize the coverage of our children. We therefore urge you to vote to override the veto and enact this vital health care legislation.

Sincerely,

William D. Novelli
Chief Executive Officer
AARP
Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA
Executive Vice President, CEO
AMA

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