17,000 CHILDREN IN 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RISK LOSING THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE THANKS TO CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS
- Many Join President Bush in Opposing Health Insurance for Ohio's Children. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the 273-156 vote that failed to override President Bush’s veto of the SCHIP legislation, Congressman Zack Space (OH-18) expressed his concern for the 145,000 children in Ohio set to lose their health insurance on November 16th.  The vast majority of Americans, governors, and Members of Congress support the SCHIP legislation, but a small obstructionist minority of Congressional Republicans were able to derail this legislation that would have provided health insurance to 10 million children.   According to FY2005 statistics, Ohio’s 18th Congressional District has approximately 17,000 children enrolled in SCHIP.   “The President and his Congressional allies have sunk to a new low,” Space said.  “Providing health insurance to kids in working families seemed like a no-brainer, but apparently I was wrong.  I am sincerely worried about the health of those currently enrolled in the program and those who would have been enrolled had this bill passed.”   “I will not give up this fight.  Continuing coverage for the 145,000 children in Ohio and making sure everyone eligible has the funds to join the program will remain one of my top legislative priorities,” Space continued.   Highlights from the recently released CNN, National Public Radio and CBS News polls are included below.   STRONG MAJORITY OF AMERICANS FAVOR BIPARTISAN SCHIP BILL   CBS Poll: Four out of Five Americans Support SCHIP Bill.  According to polling this week from CBS News an overwhelming majority of Americans, 81%, favor the bipartisan plan to cover more uninsured children through the state children’s health insurance program.  [CBS News, 10/17/07]   NPR Poll: 70% Support SCHIP Bill.  According to a survey released this week by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health 70% of Americans support adding $35 billion to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. [NPR, 10/17/07]   AMERICANS STRONGLY SUPPORT OVERRIDING BUSH’S VETO   NPR Poll: Nearly Two Thirds Favor SCHIP Veto Override: According to a survey this week by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health 64% of Americans favor overriding the president's veto of the children’s health insurance bill and 67% disapproved of the President’s veto. [NPR, 10/17/07]   CNN Poll: Over 60% Favor SCHIP Veto Override. According to a CNN poll this week, 61% of Americans say Congress should override the President’s veto. [CNN, 10/17/07]   Congressman Space represents Ohio’s 18th Congressional District.  Elected in 2006, he is working to restore integrity to the office, expand Ohio’s economy, and support renewable energy.