Press Release

Statement on Presidential Veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program Bill

Contact:
Alicia Mitchell - (202) 626-2339
Matt Fenwick - (312) 422-2820

Washington D.C.

Rich Umbdenstock
President and CEO
American Hospital Association

October 3, 2007

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 AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes more than 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, and 38,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.