Today at 2 PM: Join CHIP Veto Override Rally in ABQ

In response to Bush's veto of the children's health insurance bill yesterday:

Please Join
Americans United for Change
NM Voices for Families
Child Healthcare Advocates
To Implore Rep. Wilson and Senator Domenici to
Continue to Stand Up for New Mexico Families and
Vote to Override President's Veto of
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act
Thursday, October 4th, 2:00 PM
Across the Street from UNM Children's Hospital on Lomas
RSVP Here

Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Brian S. Colón condemned President Bush's "reckless and irresponsible" veto of legislation that would have renewed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) – which currently provides health care coverage to over 6 million children nationwide – and improved it by expanding coverage for more children in New Mexico. President Bush's veto, which will prevent 27,900 uninsured children in New Mexico from gaining health care, comes despite overwhelming support of the American people for expanding SCHIP.

According to recent polls, 86 percent of the American people support reauthorizing SCHIP, with seven in ten saying they support the Democratic plan to expand SCHIP by $35 billion over five years. [Robert Wood Johnson Foundation release, 8/23/07; Washington Post, 10/2/07]

Not only have a bipartisan group of 43 governors called on President Bush to extend and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, but seven states filed lawsuits against the Bush Administration challenging proposed federal rules that would "force poor children to lose health coverage." [Associated Press, 10/01/07]

"With this reckless and irresponsible veto, George W. Bush has once again shown that he is more loyal to his extremist ideology than to the priorities of the families of New Mexico," said Colón. "He sees no problem spending over half a trillion dollars to keep our courageous troops mired in an intractable civil war in Iraq, but he refuses to compassionately extend to 27,900 New Mexican children the opportunity to see a doctor, receive preventative care and live healthier and happier lives.  Despite the fact that this bipartisan legislation would not add a dime to Bush's skyrocketing budget deficit, he still refuses to do the right thing for New Mexico's families."