WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords delivered the following remarks on the House floor this morning urging Congress to override President Bush’s veto of legislation that would extend health care coverage for children. The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support on Sept. 25 in a 265-159 vote. An estimated 6.6 million American children are currently enrolled in the program.
Madame Speaker, I rise today on behalf of over 179,000 children in Arizona who need Congress to stand up for them.
Ten million American children need SCHIP, known as KidsCare in Arizona. It changes their lives.
For example, when Collin Bollinger was born, his mother, Sherry, did not have health insurance. Gainfully employed, Sherry could not afford her company’s high insurance premiums and she did not qualify for Medicaid.
After Collin’s second birthday and a series of ear infections, Sherry scraped and borrowed money for private insurance to cover Collin at the high cost of $150 per month.
At times, Sherry chose her son’s health over paying the rent or having a full dinner. Then, she discovered KidsCare and her premiums fell by 90 percent a month. With the money she saved, Sherry could even afford her own health coverage.
Now a straight "A" football player at Cienega High, Collin leads a healthy and happy life. His mother credits KidsCare.
We must override the President’s veto and provide kids like Collin in Southern Arizona and throughout the nation, critically-important, affordable healthcare through this fiscally responsible legislation.